The Jules Verne Library

In which Ayrton recounts his captivity among the convicts and the mysterious, lightning-like demise of his foes, prompting the colonists to embark on a thorough exploration to find their unseen protector. Their diligent search through the mountain’s caverns and valleys uncovers no trace of this enigmatic benefactor, while the island’s sleeping volcano hints at unrest beneath the surface.

In which the industrious colonists of Lincoln Island labour diligently to construct a grand vessel amid the encroaching winter, their thoughts ever fixed on the hope of returning to their distant homeland. As the seasons pass with both prosperity and hardship, a sudden plume of smoke atop the mountain hints at mysteries yet unresolved on this rugged and remote isle.

In which the colonists, amid the ominous awakening of Mount Franklin’s volcano, hasten the construction of their schooner and are unexpectedly summoned through a mysterious telegraphic signal that leads them to a concealed cavern beneath the island’s cliffs. There, guided by an electric light into a wondrous subterranean chamber, they discover an extraordinary hidden realm where their long-enigmat...

In which the colonists conduct a cautious exploration of the dense and verdant forests near the Serpentine Peninsula, driven by a determination to reclaim their island from unwelcome intruders and with hopes of uncovering hidden dwellings amidst the rugged terrain. Under the cover of night, they stealthily approach the corral, where a mysterious figure is found, leading to tense moments of anticip...

In which the settlers, grappling with the grim aftermath of a raid by convicts upon their island homestead, face the dire illness of young Herbert, who succumbs to a malignant fever despite their best efforts and rudimentary remedies. The discovery of a precious box bearing “Sulphate of Quinine” brings a glimmer of hope amid their sombre vigil through a night filled with anguish and uncertainty.

In which the settlers tend faithfully to young Herbert’s convalescence with the mysterious aid of a precious quinine powder, whilst preparing for a bold expedition to explore the uncharted Far West of Lincoln Island in pursuit of elusive convicts and a secret guiding hand. The journey through dense forests reveals signs of recent passage yet offers no shelter nor refuge, keeping the island’s enigm...

In which the colony faces a perilous new threat from a group of armed convicts who stealthily inhabit the island and imperil the settlers, compelling them to take refuge within the corral while tending with care to the recovery of their injured companion, Herbert. Amidst these trials, the intrepid settlers contemplate the waxing and waning fortunes of their solitary existence, steadfastly resolved...

In which the colonists confront a grave trial as young Herbert is severely wounded, and with measured care and prudence, his companions tend to his injuries whilst guarding against the lurking convicts. The faithful dog Top is entrusted with a perilous mission to carry vital news between the settlements, embodying the quiet courage and hope that sustain the castaways in their isolated refuge.

In which the settlers, held captive in the corral and anxious for the recovery of young Herbert, deliberate cautiously on their precarious position and the uncertain fate of their absent companion Ayrton. Their hopes are stirred and soon dashed when a timely message from Neb warns of the convicts’ invasion of the once safe plateau of Prospect Heights, prompting a perilous journey to Granite House...

In which the colony deduces the involvement of a mysterious and powerful benefactor whose secret interventions have significantly aided their survival, prompting a consensus to seek him out while continuing their diligent labours and fortification efforts. They also debate the prudent course of action concerning a group of hostile castaways on the island, agreeing to remain vigilant without initia...

In which the intrepid colonists prepare a thorough exploration of the island, fortifying their stronghold and investigating the mysteries surrounding the elusive intruders and their potential movements. Their vigilance is tested by a suspicious breach in communication and an alarming encounter at the corral, casting a sombre shadow upon their isolated haven.

In which the settlers discover the sunken brig "Speedy," whose mysterious destruction both enriches their colony with valuable cargo and puzzles them with its inexplicable sinking, prompting investigations into the strange forces at work beneath the waters. The episode unfolds with a mixture of practical salvage efforts and philosophical debate on the cause, culminating in the surprising discovery...

In which the resolute colonists devise a clever strategy of armed posts to conceal their numbers and repel the suspicious pirate brig lurking amidst the morning fog. As the tense standoff escalates, the settlers maintain their calm vigilance, witnessing the unfolding battle with patience and unyielding hope upon their secluded rocky stronghold.

In which the castaways on Lincoln Island, after two and a half years of solitude, are startled by the sudden appearance of a brig bearing a sinister black flag, compelling them to conceal the presence of their colony and prepare for a possible confrontation. The mysterious vessel’s approach casts a shadow of uncertainty and foreboding over their peaceful existence, as they steel themselves to defe...

In which a bold reconnaissance by Ayrton reveals the dire threat posed by a ruthless pirate crew intent on seizing the island, compelling the small band of settlers to contemplate desperate measures. With the shadow of violence darkening their peaceful refuge, they prepare to defend their home against overwhelming odds, fortified by courage and resolve.

In which the colonists, voyaging in their trusty vessel, explore a strange gulf formed by volcanic lava flows and confront a series of mysterious incidents on Lincoln Island that defy easy explanation. As winter storms rage and the community prepares for the cold season, an unexpected sighting on the horizon offers a new prospect amidst the enigmas shadowing their island home.

In which the colonists, cut off from the world for two years and pondering their uncertain fate, deliberate on the possibility of being rescued or venturing to communicate with a neighbouring island, while preparing for a cautious survey of their own island’s varied and formidable coastline. Amidst the natural splendour and peril of basaltic cliffs and shifting tides, a curious contradiction arise...

In which the castaways establish an ingenious telegraphic communication between Granite House and the corral, employing their own wrought iron wire and a simple zinc battery apparatus, thereby enhancing both their safety and companionship. Their industrious season unfolds with prospering crops, daring hunts, and the artful capture of the island’s splendid scenery and portraits through photography,...

In which a sombre and repentant stranger reveals the troubled history that led him to their company, recounting a tale of betrayal, exile, and slow redemption set against vast and distant lands. The expedition's engineer offers friendship and forgiveness, while the stranger chooses solitude amid the colony’s care, leaving the mystery of a lost document unanswered.

In which a mysterious and deeply tormented stranger, rescued from isolation, struggles with his past and reluctant reintegration into society, while the colonists patiently respect his silence and continue to develop their island home with hopeful endeavour. Their calm industriousness is punctuated by an act of brave rescue from a wild beast, offering a moment of connection and the promise of futu...

In which the “Bonadventure” returns with a mysterious castaway whose savage demeanour challenges the settlers’ hope for his recovery, prompting Cyrus Harding to employ gentle kindness and patience in the attempt to restore his reason and humanity. Through careful observation and tender persistence, the castaway slowly responds to their care, culminating in a poignant moment of regained emotion tha...

In which Pencroft, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett discover an abandoned hut on a nearby islet, home to a solitary castaway who has descended into a feral state, and resolve to care for him as they prepare to return to Lincoln Island. Their voyage is marked by tempestuous seas and uncertainty, yet a guiding beacon in the night rekindles their hope of safe passage home.

In which our intrepid colonists set sail upon the sea to seek out a purported castaway on the diminutive and mysterious Tabor Island, their hopes buoyed by a message in a bottle and the reliable “Bonadventure” cutting through unfrequented waters. Their careful exploration reveals signs of previous habitation and cultivated soil, yet no living soul, leaving an empty hut as the solemn testament to t...

In which the settlers endure a harsh winter marked by a fierce nocturnal attack from colpeo foxes that threatens their haven and tests their courage, while their industrious efforts bring to fruition the launching and successful sea trial of the vessel Bonadventure. As they navigate the island’s serene coast and deliberate future voyages, an unexpected message in a bottle surfaces, whispering of f...

In which the resolute colonists adapt to the harsh winter on their island by ingeniously transforming musmon wool into warm felt, while also tending to their newly built vessel and contemplating a daring voyage to nearby Tabor Island. Meanwhile, mysterious signs around a sea-connected well stir their curiosity, leading Cyrus Harding to a solitary exploration that deepens the enigma surrounding the...