In an earlier review on this site of a Jules Verne novel-namely The Vanished Diamond -I drew attention to the fact that several of his books were known by more than one English language title .this book goes one better -or worse depending on your tolerance for confusion -by having two titles in the writer's native French .It was originally published in 1901 as Histoires de Jean-Marie Cabidoulin (a relatively minor figure in the book)-a most unengaging title giving away little of its story .The book was reissued in 1937 as Le Serpent de Mer -or The Sea Serpent in English .
It may be a more catchpenny snd enticing title but it is misleading in the extreme for while the characters discuss the pros and cons for the exixtence of a giant sea serpent we are not told if there is or is not an giant sea beast involved in the events that unfold .
The story centres on a French whaling ship the St Enoch which sets out from Le Havre on a voyage to kill whales for their meat and oil .The cooper is the eponymous Cabidoulin ,a firm believer in the existence of a giant serpent with the habit of dragging vessels to their doom .
At first all goes well -they fare well in the waters of New Zealand and sell their goods at a handsome profit in Vancouver .Then when they set out for another leg of the voyage in Alaskan and Siberian waters things begin to go downhill.The weather worsens ,dense fogs prevail and the inhabitants of the area are convinced that a sea monster is at work in the area .There are other more practical considerations such as an ongoing dispute with a rival whaler the English ship Repton .(Verne gives full vent to his Anglophobia in parts of the book ).The kills become less frequent and the ship becomes stranded -on an ice ledge ?or in the grip of a monster ?
Verne does not confirm if the events are due to the vessel being stalked by a serpent or whether they are due to currents and other natuiral phenomena and this makes for a frustrating and rather turgid read .The book promises without ever delivering and anyone drawn to the book by memories of the giant squid in 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea is likely to be disappointed
Please note also that some of the descriptions of the butchering of killed whales are quite graphic and these scenes may make the ecological ,whale- saving section of the potential readership quite quesy
Dull and plodding -not the science -fiction pioneers' best work by a long shot
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
