Journey to the Center of the Earth

The story

Professor Otto Lidenbrock decodes a runic message that points to a path into the Earth through the crater of an Icelandic volcano. His nervous nephew Axel has no choice but to come along, with their calm guide Hans.

Underground they find giant mushrooms, an inland sea, prehistoric creatures and finally a ride back to the surface that nobody could have planned.

Themes: scientific curiosity, courage, deep time, exploration.

Why it's a good book for language learners

Verne loves explaining, so you will meet clear descriptions of geology, measurements and equipment alongside the adventure. Axel's fear and his uncle's enthusiasm make a funny, human pair. In French, this is one of the most popular classics for learners.

What you'll practise

• Geology and landscape vocabulary
• Numbers, measurements and directions
• Expressing fear, doubt and persuasion
• Future and conditional plans

Did you know?

The book appeared in 1864, during a period of intense public interest in fossils and the age of the Earth.

The PageWalker adventure

In the adventure you choose the tunnels — and some of them do not lead back up. The first page is free to play in your browser, and the adventure is available in 13 languages with click-to-translate.

Journey to the Center of the Earth in other languages

• EnglishJourney to the Center of the Earth
• العربيةرحلة إلى مركز الأرض
• DeutschDie Reise zum Mittelpunkt der Erde
• EspañolViaje al Centro de la Tierra
• FrançaisVoyage au centre de la Terre
• हिन्दीपृथ्वी के केंद्र की यात्रा
• ItalianoViaggio al centro della Terra
• 日本語地底旅行
• 한국어지구 속 여행
• PortuguêsViagem ao Centro da Terra
• РусскийПутешествие к центру Земли
• TürkçeDünyanın Merkezine Yolculuk
• 简体中文地心游记