The story in one page
When a mysterious metal object begins terrorizing global shipping lanes, Professor Aronnax joins an expedition to track the supposed beast. He soon discovers the truth: it is a submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by the reclusive Captain Nemo. Nemo holds the Professor, his servant Conseil, and the harpooner Ned Land captive, forcing them to join a massive underwater journey. As they traverse the world's oceans, Nemo displays absolute contempt for human society, using his technological marvel to exist entirely outside of international law. The captive trio eventually struggles with the moral consequences of Nemo's vengeance before escaping during a harrowing encounter in a violent Norwegian whirlpool.
Who's who
- Captain Nemo
A brilliant, vengeful engineer who lives entirely underwater.
- Professor Aronnax
A French biologist captured after investigating the mystery.
- Ned Land
A Canadian harpooner who is perpetually unimpressed by underwater sights.
- Conseil
A loyal, methodical servant who accompanies the Professor everywhere.
- Nautilus
An advanced, cigar-shaped electric submarine displacing 1,500 tons.
What it's really about
- Isolation
- Total rejection of terrestrial life and political borders.
- Technological hubris
- The belief that machinery can conquer any environment.
Why it's memorable
- A forest of coral serving as a final resting place.
- A dinner party held inside a pressurized steel cylinder.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Aronnax and his friends survive the wreck of the submarine, but Nemo’s ultimate fate remains a mystery.
For your book club
- Is Nemo a heroic scientist or a dangerous radical?
- How does the Nautilus function without a traditional fuel source?