Jules Verne's Une ville flottante (A Floating City) is a fascinating little detour in his catalog. Based partly on his own 1867 voyage, it reads like a speculative travelogue that suddenly remembers it's a novel.

The Story

The narrator boards the Great Eastern, a real-life leviathan of a steamship, for a trip from Liverpool to New York. At first, it's all wonder: describing the ship's incredible scale, the miniature society of passengers, and the mechanics that keep this 'floating city' running. But the mood shifts. The focus turns to a fellow passenger, a mysterious and tormented man named Fabian, and his silent, beautiful companion, Ellen. Fabian is haunted, and his past is sailing with him. What follows is a tense, personal drama of love, revenge, and regret, all playing out on the isolated, storm-tossed stage of the Atlantic.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a great look at Verne's range. Yes, he geeks out over piston engines and hull design (and it's cool!), but his real interest here is people. The ship isn't just a setting; it's a pressure cooker. Cut off from the world, secrets can't stay buried. The contrast between the ship's orderly, technological brilliance and the messy, passionate human conflict at its heart is what makes the story stick with you.

Final Verdict

This is for the reader who likes their classics with a side of moody atmosphere. If you enjoy stories about isolated communities (a ship, an island, a train) where personal dramas explode, you'll feel right at home. It's also a must for Verne fans who want to see the 'Father of Science Fiction' working in a more intimate, psychological key. A short, compelling voyage into the past.