Maureen

1- Who was your favourite character? Were there any characters whom you disliked? I have two favourite characters - Monsieur Ozu and also Manuela. Mr Ozu is an obvious choice - I doubt if the book mentions a single flaw of his - he is an easy person to like. Manuela was such a great friend, the salt of the earth, and although uneducated, so wise in certain things. 2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest? Not really no. The first bit was not particularly enjoyable, until I got used to two people narrating, and obviously I liked the bits when Manuela came to visit - I really think she generated interest in the story. 3- What did you think of the way the book was written (part Renée's, part Paloma's observations)? At first I was not really fond of this style - I thought it was rather unsettling, but then I got used to it, and started to appreciate reading two different points of view. 4- Was this the first book you've read by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? Yes it is my first, but cannot say it has encouraged me to read more of her books. 5- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? Yes, as Andrea said before me, I could not understand why Renee had to go to all that trouble to hide her alter ego. (even when I read about her sister) It seems a bit too much - she even went to the extremes of buying different kinds of food for herself. 6- Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? I would not describe it as enjoyable. Interesting and different, certainly, but not enjoyable.

I've read it too. Logan is still a hero.

!!That's really neat. I wish I could know how?

Anyone read The Phantom yet? Just finished it, and I think it's the best so far.......

My Mojo was not doing so well either. It's better now - am reading Nesbo as medicine - I guess I should check the Torchwood books.

I wish to thank everyone who took park in June's Circle. It was a great! Thanks

8. Was reading the book an enjoyable experience? I had read this book as a child, and remember having a hard time grasping the concept of different times in different countries, but then took it much at face value. I am glad I read it again, I have now enjoyed the book as the author intended

7. While reading the book, did you ever think that Phileas Fogg was guilty of theft? I admit I never thought he was guilty, I always blamed Fix of being too short-sighted, to have never entertained the thought that maybe his reasoning was flawed and his whole theory is un-founded.

6. As time goes by, why does Fix not change his opinion regarding Phileas Fogg? I kept waiting for Fix to change his opinion and his attitude, but this never happened. I think he was so caught up in his own story, that he never seriously entertained the thought that he might be wrong. I never thought that he realised his mistake but wanted a scapegoat for his own personal profit, but rather that he had a case of tunnel vision.

Tinatin, we would love to hear more of what you think about this book.

5. Why do you think Phileas Fogg took the bet? I think Phileas Fogg took the bet because he was sure that it could be done - just for the bet’s sake. When he was talking to his friends, and he found out that they were of a different opinion, he wanted to prove himself right. He set great store by his exact calculations, and his whole life was based on timings, and he found this to be a bet he could not refuse, although he must have figured that he would not make much money out of it - in fact he stood to lose quite an amount. 　

Yes! Did not get that one, but definately! He also makes a reference to the typical English gentlemen who is not really at ease eating foreign food during his trip....that one made me smile.

4. Do you think that Verne really leans on certain stereotypes during the book? Hmmm interesting. I would agree that certain characters seem stereotypical - the rich gentleman, the damsel in distress, the policeman who does not give up, the faithful servant and the loud American. However I don't see Fogg as a person who can't be fully trusted, and neither do I think that Fix is particularly devious. But over all Verne does seem to fit his characters to a particular stereotype.

3. Do you think Jules Verne made a play on some of the names he chose for his characters? I think he might have - with some of them: Passepartout is literally translated to ‘go everywhere’, although the word itself means a skeleton key. He was not a normal valet, he had travelled extensively, had held various jobs. Mr Fix he has to fix a wrongdoing and bring a thief to justice. Colonel Stamp Proctor is described as ‘’A big brawny fellow with a red beard, flushed face, and broad shoulders, who seemed to be the chief of the band,..’’. ....According to wikipedia, Proctor, is variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge.

Any more people joining in?

1. What do you think of Phileas Fogg ? I cannot but help liking Phileas Fogg, although he is not a very likeable character in some ways. However, although he is portrayed as mathematically cold, pedantic and a pain in the neck, he is also cool, calm and precise, generous and possesses a self control which must be envied. His character is a paradox - he is a man of habit, his days regulated by the clock, one day an exact copy of the next, yet he takes on a £20,000 wager (equal to £1,324,289 today according to wikipedia) on a whim. He informs his valet that he must pay the gaslight bill, (he forgot to turn the gaslight off), yet he gives a £ 2000 elephant as a present to the Indian guide ‘for his devotion.’ 　 2. Although Aouda is depicted as a passive female, she made quite a mark on the other travellers. What do you think about her? I think she is written as a product of those times where women had to depend on a male to be their saviour and protector. If the story had to be written today, she would be given a much larger role in the story, although to be fair this particular story would not have worked in today’s times. I think over all, although she cost Phileas Fogg both time and money, she gave him a purpose in life, and from the moment he met her he went through a change of character. There were times when I wondered how the author did not expand at all on the differences between their ethnicity, difference in clothing or food, cultures and believes. In fact, as far as I remember, Aouda changed into European clothes from her Indian ones, and it was as if she became British.

It is assumed that you have read the book before reading posts in this thread, as the discussion might give away crucial points, and the continuous use of spoiler tags might hinder fluent reading of posts. 1.Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne Phileas Fogg is a man of habit, a Victorian gentleman who follows the same routine every day--until he accepts a wager that he can circle the globe within eighty days. Thus begins a hair-raising journey, in which Fogg's obsession with his timetable is complemented by the dynamism and versatility of his French manservant, Passepartout, whose has a talent for getting into scrapes as the two dash across continents in a suspenseful race against time Welcome to June's Reading Circle Choice. A few questions/statements to start us off 1. What do you think of Phileas Fogg ? 2. Although Aouda is depicted as a passive female, she made quite a mark on the other travellers. What do you think about her? 3. Do you think Jules Verne made a play on some of the names he chose for his characters? 4. Do you think that Verne really leans on certain stereotypes during the book? 5. Why do you think Phileas Fogg took the bet? 6. As time goes by, why does Fix not change his opinion regarding Phileas Fogg? 7.While reading the book, did you ever think that Phileas Fogg was guilty of theft?

Mortal and pestle. Sounds great. I love Thai food - Green curry, Crab in sauce, fried rice, Tom Yum, Pad Thai.....mmmm

We watched all of season 1 a forthnight ago, and season two up to date last week. Great show - looking forward to reading the books. My favorite characters are definately Tyrion and Arya.

We still love you! (I am actually quite amazed you did not get any of our points) It's just that we don't really like the Hump - too much of a bygone era, I guess.

We're back in this year!

Thanks bree, will probably try this one.

I enjoyed it too Chrissy...and now I have the sequel to look forward to.

I wish to thank all those who participated during the April circle. It has been a real pleasure discussing this book with you. I enjoyed reading this book, and discussing it with you made it all the more interesting.

I found this interesting interview with Doris Lessing about Ben. http://www.dorisless...g/chat-ben.html It is in the form of questions from participants and her answers. Here is what she thinks of Ben.