Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Around the World in 80 Days
- Author: Jules Verne
- Narrator: Michael Scott
- Length: 0.275
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01-Jan
- Publisher: Thought Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Classics
- ISBN13: SABTAXX978036
It’s Marcus Rivera here, your companion on this winding road of stories and soundscapes. Today, I’m diving into the audiobook experience of Jules Verne’s *Around the World in 80 Days*, narrated by the steady voice of Michael Scott. This classic tale of adventure, time, and human grit has been a companion of mine through dusty trails and bustling cities alike, and I’m thrilled to share why this free audiobook might just be your next great listen.
The story unfolds like a well-worn map, creased at the edges from constant use. Phileas Fogg, a meticulous British gentleman with a fortune to wager and a point to prove, sets off to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days. Alongside him is his French valet, Passepartout, a man of quick wit and quicker feet. Together, they hop from steamships to locomotives, even an elephant or two, racing against the ticking clock. It’s a light, entertaining romp that captures the Victorian era’s wild-eyed fascination with progress and possibility—a spirit I’ve chased myself across continents.
This audiobook experience reminds me of a time when I was rattling along in a rickety bus through the Andes, the peaks jagged against the sky like the edges of a story begging to be told. I’d plugged into an audiobook then—García Márquez’s *One Hundred Years of Solitude*—and the narrator’s voice wove magic into the surreal landscape. Listening to *Around the World in 80 Days*, I found a similar alchemy. Michael Scott’s narration doesn’t just recount Fogg’s journey; it carries you along, as if you’re swaying in the train car beside him or feeling the salty spray of a steamer crossing the Atlantic. There’s a warmth to his delivery, steady and unhurried, that mirrors Fogg’s own unflappable calm—a quality I’ve come to crave in the best oral storytelling.
Verne’s tale is a celebration of human ingenuity, and you can almost hear the clatter of train tracks and the hum of steam engines as Fogg and Passepartout push the boundaries of what’s possible. The theme of perseverance sings through every chapter—Fogg’s cool-headed resolve against storms, bandits, and bureaucratic tangles. It’s a reminder of the stubborn determination I’ve seen in the people I’ve met on my travels, like the Oaxacan grandmother who’d spin tales each night under a flickering lantern, her voice a thread connecting past to present. That same intimacy echoes here, making the listening experience feel like a fireside chat with an old friend.
Yet, the novel isn’t just about the triumph of technology—it’s a kaleidoscope of cultures clashing and blending. From the bustling streets of Bombay to the wilds of the American frontier, Verne sketches a world both exotic and familiar. Sure, there’s a Victorian tint to it all—some portrayals lean into colonial stereotypes that modern ears might wince at—but there’s a curiosity there, too, a hunger to see beyond the horizon. It’s a hunger I’ve felt myself, sipping mezcal with locals in Mexico or tracing ancient paths in Portugal, always chasing the next story.
Now, let’s talk about Michael Scott’s performance. His voice is a compass—clear, deliberate, and magnetic. He brings Fogg’s precision to life with a measured cadence, while Passepartout’s energy bursts through in brighter, livelier tones. You can almost taste the dust of the Indian plains or hear the creak of the ship’s timbers as he reads. The audio quality is crisp, though at just over four hours, this unabridged version feels brisk—almost too quick for a journey this grand. Still, it’s a testament to Scott’s skill that he packs so much atmosphere into every minute. If I’m nitpicking, I’d say there’s a slight flatness in some of the secondary characters’ voices—less distinct than I’d hoped—but it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar narration.
What makes this audiobook truly special is its free availability through Thought Audio. That’s right—a classic adventure, delivered straight to your ears, no cost attached. It’s a gift for anyone who loves fiction and literature, especially those with a soft spot for the classics. But it’s not flawless. The colonial lens Verne writes through can feel dated, even jarring at times, and the breakneck pace occasionally glosses over quieter, character-driven moments I’d have loved to linger on. Still, the strengths—its infectious optimism, its vivid settings, its sheer momentum—far outweigh these limitations.
If you’ve enjoyed Verne’s other works like *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea* or even the globe-trotting thrills of *The Amazing Race*, this audiobook will feel like a familiar friend. It’s less satirical than *Gulliver’s Travels*, less fantastical than *Journey to the Center of the Earth*, but it shares that same pulse of exploration. I’d recommend it to anyone who dreams of far-off places, who finds joy in the rhythm of a well-told tale, or who simply wants a free escape into a world where anything feels possible.
Reflecting on this listen, I’m back in Oaxaca, under that lantern’s glow, the grandmother’s voice weaving stories into the night. *Around the World in 80 Days* captures that same magic—the power of a story to transport you, to shrink the world while making it feel vast and wondrous. It’s a reminder of why I travel, why I listen, why I write: to connect with the human spirit across time and borders. So grab this free audiobook, pop in your earbuds, and let Phileas Fogg take you on a ride you won’t soon forget.
Until the next tale, with a wanderer’s heart,
Marcus Rivera
