Jules Verne Forum

<jvf@Gilead.org.il>

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 19961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009

Re: The Biography

From: thomas mccormick <tom_amity~at~hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2006 23:38:46 +0000
To: jvf~at~Gilead.org.il

Ron, you're spot on the money in regard to Hetzel. I have the same
impression about his editorial interference - or should we speak plainly and
call it censorship?

One of the great things about the Kravitz-Evans-Butcher edition of
Mysterious Island is that Bill's introduction includes translations of the
original MS texts of the most important passages Hetzel ruined (passages
dealing with Nemo's demise and the destruction of the island), so that the
reader can compare and contrast the real Verne vs. the censored Verne.

Come to think of it, in hiis own translations Bill does us the same favor
(e.g., in an appendix to Hatteras and in his notes to 20,000 Leagues) by
showing us what Verne wrote vs. what Hetzel wanted him to have written!

But perhaps the worst thing Hetzel did was to discourage Verne's ambition to
write novels in different genres, confining him whenever possible to the
"extraordinary journeys" bag. What is worse than restricting the directions
in which a literary artist is allowed to grow? If Hetzel were alive today,
I'll bet he'd be a film producer who would eschew new ideas in favor of
bearing old titles follolwed by roman numerals.

Tom


>From: spaceart~at~att.net
>Reply-To: Jules Verne Forum <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>
>To: Jules Verne Forum <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>
>Subject: The Biography
>Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:05:11 +0000
>
>I just received a copy of the new biography, for which I am very grateful.
>Thanks! I started reading it immediately and found that I couldn't put it
>down. (Well, actually, I have, but only temporarily...)
>
>As an author I found myself gnashing my teeth while reading of Verne's
>contracts with Hetzel. Not so much because of what an unmitigated villain
>Hetzel was, but at my utter perplexity at why Verne would enter into such
>agreements in the first place, let along prolong them.
>
>In any event, I hope to get a review or two of the book sent off to a
>couple of magazines shortly.
>
>Congratulations on a splendid effort!
>
>Ron
>
>PS---
>Le Geant wasn't a hot air balloon.
>
>PPS---
>As someone who takes 20K as personally as I do, I find myself gazing
>dreamily into space at the thought of seeing the "real" 20K in print
>someday. Might make an interesting JVF/NAJVS project, to transcribe,
>translate and then publish the book via a POD provider such as Lulu.com...
>At least it's something to sigh over...
>



>From: "wbutcher" <wbutcher~at~netvigator.com>
>To: "'Jules Verne Forum'" <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>
>Subject: Re: Nantes/Bordeaux 1866
>Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2006 12:45:06 +0000
>
>
>Bonsoir Philippe!
>
>Agreed that he may have gone to Bordeaux by regular passenger steamer, but
>it is not entirely clear because what he wrote was: “ My brother was [in
>Bordeaux], and I couldn’t resist the pleasure of going to fetch [chercher]
>him by sea and bringing him back by sea… A trip of 5 or 6 days is better
>than nothing. And, you know, you can’t have a fine sea-trip without a bit
>of
>ocean”.
>
>For the MS of 20T, I’ve cut and pasted from my biography below.
>
>Warm regards,
>
>Bill
>
>wbutchernetvigator.com
>
>http://home.netvigator.com/~wbutcher/
>
>1/F, 46A, Lung Mei Village, Taipo, Hong Kong
>
>As if to balance this, several scenes of peace and harmony occur as the
>submarine approaches Le Crotoy. Verne cannot resist taking his submarine
>past his birthplace and into the "flat <\!p>.<\!p>.<\!p>. sandy valley
><\!p>.<\!p>.<\!p>. between Britain and France." After keeping "quite close
>to the coast of north-west France," it enters the Le Havre area and the bay
>on which Verne was writing:
>
>BLOCKQUOTE
>
>By evening, we had covered the whole of the Channel between Brest and the
>mouth of the Seine <\!p>.<\!p>.<\!p>. the lights of La Hève sent us their
>electric brilliance. I recognized the magnificent cliffs of Cape Antifer,
>which took on a fantastic appearance as night fell: the limestone strata,
>dotted with clumps of grass, produced an interminable procession of strange
>figures, queens of the middle ages arranged with the roughness of the old
>painters, a Cimabue or a Mantegna <\!p>.<\!p>.<\!p>. At about midnight, we
>passed near the Bay of the Somme, whose 10,000 hectares of sand are covered
>by the rising tide (MS2 127).
>
>END BLOCKQUOTE
>
>After this visit to Verne's home patch, the submarine finally forms part of
>a scene of happy dawn and sunny tranquility, whose existence has never been
>suspected:
>
>BLOCKQUOTE
>
>The Nautilus was floating a few miles from land, to starboard. A hot day
>was
>in store. The sky was white, the air calm. Not a breath of wind. On the sea
>small regular ripples created crisscrossing diamond shapes. The sun picked
>them out in sparkling points. The water, like liquid emerald, heaved in
>broad waves that the Nautilus did not even feel. In the quivering haze, a
>few far-off fishing boats and two or three coastal luggers with flaccid
>sails faded indistinctly away. The smoke from a steamer traced a motionless
>cloud on the backdrop of the sky (MS2 128–29).
>
>END BLOCKQUOTE
>
>In both scenes, Verne reveals his powerful visual imagination, stimulated
>by
>the natural complexities and the artists he mentions. The impression is
>given that he wishes to bring the Nautilus surging up in front of his
>garden-shed. What seems incredible is that these two descriptions are the
>only ones of his native land in his first 30 novels. In sum, we can greatly
>regret the fine visions of a Nautilus moving under and over a tranquil and
>harmonious sea, if only because we know how important the English Channel
>was for Verne.
>
>The Nautilus then sights the lights of North Foreland, at the tip of Kent,
>and Great Yarmouth, in East Anglia. As it moves up the North Sea, Aronnax
>plans to "land in Scotland." It's not really on their route, but as in
>several other novels, Verne cannot resist the idea of heading back to his
>beloved Caledonia.
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: owner-jvfGilead.org.il [mailto:owner-jvfGilead.org.il] On Behalf Of
>Valetoux
>Sent: Monday, 05 June, 2006 5:31 PM
>To: Jules Verne Forum
>Subject: Nantes/Bordeaux 1866
>
>
>
>
>Morning, Bill!
>
>
>
>For this trip, please, refer to my book page 57.
>
>Paul left Nantes for Bordeaux (probably by train) at the end of august
>1866.
>Jules imagine to visit his brother, but by travelling from Nantes to
>Bordeaux by sea. Don't forget he has this previous experience in 1859 for
>the "Voyage à reculons": "...Jacques and Jonathan were on bord...Jacques
>was
>looking the engine-room, where the boiler was roaring...He contemplated
>these powerful cylinders and pistons...". At that time, there were regular
>maritime connexions between the 2 ports (today, we would speak about
>"ferries"). Jules wrote that normally, it took 24 hours. That's normal,
>considering the distance, for a commercial ship, half sailing, half
>steaming. Jules wrote: " I cannot resist to the pleasure of travelling by
>sea, go and back by sailing. A trip of 5 or 6 days, that's good! And no
>good voyage without a portion of ocean...". The brothers stood at Bordeaux
>longer that supposed (12 days) and came back through the same way: a ferry
>to Nantes. But due to bad weather (The Biscay is famous as a devil hole),
>this voyage was very hard and longer as usual. Jules wrote: "...ah! We had
>a
>wonderful come-back by sea! A strong gale, the ship quite grounded... well,
>a true storm said my brother, a true seaman as you know. We had 60 hours
>delay...".
>
>So, this trip has nothing to see with the Saint Michel, which was not built
>at that time, and later has never sailed on the atlantic coast. Considering
>distances and speed, this is not a navigation of yachtman. For the moment,
>i
>have not found the name of the passage ships used by the brothers, but i
>think it will come one day.
>
>
>
>One question on my side now: you told me, there is a description of Antifer
>cape, La Hève and baie de somme in 20000 leagues manuscript. I have not
>found such words in my exemplary. Can you give me precisions?
>
>Best regards,
>
>
>
>Philippe
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-------Message original-------
>
>
>
>De : wbutcher <mailto:wbutcher~at~netvigator.com>
>
>Date : 06/05/06 10:23:50
>
>A : 'Jules Verne <mailto:jvf~at~Gilead.org.il> Forum'
>
>Sujet : RE: Réf. : Saint Michel I...66/67/68???
>
>
>
>
>
>Philippe,
>
>I am convinced by your arguments that the St M I was a new boat, built in
>1868. But Verne sailed before that year, eg to Bordeaux to fetch Paul: what
>vessel(s) did he use?
>
>Bill
>
>wbutchernetvigator.com
>
>http://home.netvigator.com/~wbutcher/
>
>1/F, 46A, Lung Mei Village, Taipo, Hong Kong
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: owner-jvfGilead.org.il [mailto:owner-jvfGilead.org.il] On Behalf Of
>Valetoux
>Sent: Monday, 05 June, 2006 4:08 PM
>To: Jules Verne Forum
>Subject: Réf. : Saint Michel I...66/67/68???
>
>
>
>
>Dear Christian,
>
>
>
>You are looking on Saint Michel I and you are surprised by so many
>versions!
>
>You are right, main autors have no real informations and copy, with more
>and
>less accuracy, the previous books.
>
>As seaman, i have been shocked by wrong, stupid or romantic informations
>about Jules'navigations and ships. That 's why i decided to publish my
>book,
>speaking mainly of that point and not about the books he wrote. So may i
>suggest you to read "Jules Verne, en mer et contre tous", based on a long
>research (11 years) in maritime archives?
>
>About the Saint Michel I, the administratives informations are rare,
>because
>all the original and official documents in Saint Valéry have burned during
>WWII. But Saint Michel I has been sold later to a Le Havre yachtman, and
>there are documents remaining.
>
>This ship is not a second hand or modified one, this is a new boat built by
>Asselin shipyard. The construction is traditionnal, as for all fishing
>boats
>built there. Rigging and accomodation are a little bit different as this
>ship will be used for cruising. Jules was helped by a friend who design
>drawings and survey the construction. This fellow was Paul Bos, a
>professionnal captain sailing for a Le Havre company. The year of building
>is without any doubt possible 1868.
>
>There is actually no document to give the exact day of launching, but we
>know by 2 letters that in march 1868, the building was on, and that on the
>3th june, Jules made a run test. So, launching was on end of may 1868. As
>usual, Allotte said that the ship was named Saint Michel during an official
>ceremony, but i never succeed to get a proof, neither in the news, neither
>in church archives.
>
>So , dear friend, i hope that you have now a better idea of Saint Michel I.
>Quite a "rustic" yacht, but for Jules, a major boat, as his first personnal
>ship. And he has done bravery navigation, cruising without GPS, radio
>and...engine! Maritime congratulations, captain Jules!
>
>Yours faithfully,
>
>
>
>Valetoux Philippe
>
>Le Havre pilot
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-------Message original-------
>
>
>
>De : Cristian <mailto:destro777~at~hotmail.com> Tello
>
>Date : 06/04/06 20:34:21
>
>A : jvfGilead.org.il <mailto:jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>
>
>Sujet : Saint Michel I...66/67/68???
>
>
>
>Dear friends
>
>
>
>I've been investigating the date in which the Saint Michel I was bought by
>Verne, so searching in the web, I see that there exist different versions
>of
>the year of the buying. They mention some, 1866, other 1867 and until 1868.
>Are here the references:
>
>
>
> 1866:
>
>
>
>
><http://perso.orange.fr/assoc.lorient.ccsti/Archives/souslesmers/histoire/hi
>stoire1.htm>
>http://perso.orange.fr/assoc.lorient.ccsti/Archives/souslesmers/histoire/his
>toire1.htm
>
>
>
>Un bureau sur la mer
>
>
>
>En 1866, après ses premiers succès, il loue une maison au Crotoy, dans
>l’estuaire de la somme, et bientôt achète son premier bateau baptisé du
>prénom de son fils : Le saint Michel I.
>
>
>
>1867:
>
>
>
>
><http://www.baiedesomme.org/html/fr/recherche/Documents.asp?step=3&ID=147>
>http://www.baiedesomme.org/html/fr/recherche/Documents.asp?step=3&ID=147
>
>
>
>Le premier bâteau de Jules Verne : le " Saint Michel I "
>
>1867 - Ayant toujours la nostalgie de la mer, Jules Verne loue une villa au
>Crotoy et achète son premier bateau : le "Saint Michel 1 ".
>
>
>
> <http://www.peterlanczak.de/stmichel.htm>
>http://www.peterlanczak.de/stmichel.htm
>
>
>
>Im Jahre 1867 kaufte Jules Verne sein erstes Schiff in Le Crotoy: Die SAINT
>MICHEL 1.
>
>
>
>
>
>1868:
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://www.j-verne.de/verne_maritim01.html>
>http://www.j-verne.de/verne_maritim01.html
>
>
>
>Andreas Fehrmann says:
>
>
>
>1868 wurde sein erstes Segelbootes, die »Saint-Michel« fertiggestellt. Mit
>der >Saint Michel<,
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://kervoyal.club.fr/documents/bayvilain/b-vernes.htm>
>http://kervoyal.club.fr/documents/bayvilain/b-vernes.htm
>
>
>
>Mais toujours la possession d'un bateau le travaille, rêve qu'il ne
>réalisera qu'en 1868 avec son premier Saint Michel.
>
>
>
>
><http://www.savoirs.essonne.fr/dossiers/le-patrimoine/histoire-des-sciences/
>article/type/0/intro/les-tribulations-du-capitaine-verne/chapitre/le-saint-m
>ichel/>
>http://www.savoirs.essonne.fr/dossiers/le-patrimoine/histoire-des-sciences/a
>rticle/type/0/intro/les-tribulations-du-capitaine-verne/chapitre/le-saint-mi
>chel/
>
>
>
>
>Le Saint-Michel
>
>
>
>
>En 1868, les revenus de la "Géographie illustrée de la France et de ses
>colonies" permettent à Jules Verne de faire lancer un bateau d’inspiration
>locale, "construit sur les plans et sous les yeux d’un ami, l’un des
>meilleurs capitaines du Havre".
>
>
>
>******************************************************************
>
>
>
>Being the dates so differents, I'd want to ask you, if you Know the real
>year of the buy, 'cause I'm gonna include the history of the three ships of
>Verne in Spanish in my web site.....
>
>
>
>I'll wait you generous collaboration
>
>
>
>Sincerely from Pery, Cristian Tello
>
> <http://www.geocities.com/paginaverniana/ctd.htm>
>http://www.geocities.com/paginaverniana/ctd.htm
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
>Consigue aquí las mejores y mas recientes ofertas de trabajo en América
>Latina y USA: Haz clic <http://g.msn.com/8HMAES/2734??PS=47575> aquí
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-----------
>Orange vous informe que cet e-mail a été contrôlé par l'anti-virus mail.
>Aucun virus connu à ce jour par nos services n'a été détecté.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>< Verdana> <http://www.incredimail.com/index.asp?id=97064>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>< Verdana> <http://www.incredimail.com/index.asp?id=97012> Des émoticônes
>GRATUITES pour votre messagerie électronique ? Cliquez ici !
>

_________________________________________________________________
Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
Received on Tue 06 Jun 2006 - 02:39:01 IDT

JV.Gilead.org.il
Copyright © Zvi Har’El
$Date: 2009/02/01 22:36:11 $$