7-4-2013: Book Review #2: Michael Strogoff, by Jules Verne

       Michael Strogoff:  The Courier of the Czar is the story of Michael Strogoff, who is a courier of the Russian Czar Alexander II, and his perilous journey across Siberia.  At the opening  of the story, the Tartars are rebelling against the powers in Moscow.  Irkutsk, the capital of Western Siberia, is in danger of siege from the Tartar armies.  Although Irkutsk is a fortified city that is built to withstand long sieges, there is another danger:  A Russian army officer has turned traitor and joined the Tartars.  The Czar knows this, but the governor of Irkutsk has no knowledge of the fact.  Therefore, the Czar must get a message across the nearly 3,000 miles of wilderness separating Irkutsk from Moscow -- but the advancing armies have cut the telegraph lines!  Enter the courier: a man described as having coolness, intelligence, and courage.  A man who can "bear cold, hunger, thirst, fatigue, to the very last extremes."  With a "frame of iron" and a "heart of gold" Michael Strogoff sets off to warn Irkutsk of its impending doom.  As he journeys he meets many interesting characters and faces many perils.  I will not spoil the surprises, but I highly recommend this book.

       As a word of warning:  Jules Verne never went to Russia, but the descriptions of Russian life and geography are very accurate -- for the most part.  The Tartar rebellion of the mid-1800's is totally fictional, as Moscow had solidified its power quite securely by the end of the Middle Ages.  Also, a few details -- such as the size of the oil industry around Irkutsk, are exaggerated.  Despite these inaccuracies, it is still a very entertaining and education work

       In my final assessment, I have placed this book as tied for my Top Fictional Literature Work of All Time (Read Since 10-1-2008), but unlike the other two books tied with it, I recommend Michael Strogoff to all who enjoy tales of adventure. (I say it that way because when recommending my other two favorite books, I have to say "I recommend Moby Dick & Robinson Crusoe, but Melville takes these random tangents from time to time, and Defoe describes some of the routines in such excruciating detail, they nearly triple the length of the book, and those hoping for a straight up tale may become bored.)

Disclaimer:  The above is the opinion of a single Wal-Mart Associate, and not the opinions of the company as a whole.