Favourite Book: Around the World in 80 days

Although the answer has changed over the years, when people ask me about my favourite novel, I say Around the world in 80 days by Jules Verne. 

Here is a brief synopsis:

Phileas Fogg, a noble from London wagers his friends that it is possible to circle the world in 80 days given the new train system. The book is set in the late 1800s. Accompanied by his "valet", a frenchman name Jean Passepartout, he embarks on a journey that takes him through Europe (rather uneventfully) before passing through India. In India Phileas Fogg and Passepartout save a woman (Aouda) from a sati before they head off to Hong Kong then separately to Yokohama. Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda then travel from Yokohama to San Francisco. In America they board the transnational railway but face some troubles including a duel and some Sioux warriors before making their way back to the UK by way of burnt steam boat.  Fogg an company are pursued by a detective, Mr Fix, who wrongfully believes Mr. Fogg is nothing more than a robber. Fogg’s unwavering character, demeanour, and honourable pursuits make for interesting dialogues between every character he encounters. His personality is unlike any I have ever read about, and lends itself well to the novel. Fogg makes a tiny miscalculation, and eventually wins the wager.

A few lessons I took away from this book were: 

 - You have to pay the price to get where you want to go. 

 - People will help you if you remain steadfast in your pursuits
 - In the pursuit of your goals, never forget your duty


Some Key Quotes:

“The unforeseen does not exist”

“A well used minimum suffices for everything”

“Are you a man of heart?” “Sometimes, when I have the time”

“No one heard this safe reflection- no one even acknowledged it’s justice”