Clovis Dardentor: A New Translation

First published in 1896, Clovis Dardentor is one of Jules Verne's lighter and more humorous novels, blending adventure, travel, and social satire. Unlike his famous science fiction and exploration tales, this novel takes a more comedic approach, following a group of travelers on a Mediterranean voyage filled with unexpected twists, eccentric characters, and an amusing take on French bureaucracy and social customs.

The story follows Jean Taconnat and Marcel Lornans, two young men hoping to earn military commissions in Algeria. Along the way, they encounter the wealthy and eccentric Clovis Dardentor, a self-made businessman with no heirs. Seeing an opportunity, the two devise a scheme to have Clovis adopt them-by saving his life, since gratitude might lead him to take them under his wing. However, their plan quickly spirals into a series of misadventures, misunderstandings, and comic mishaps.

Though not as well known as Around the World in Eighty Days or Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Clovis Dardentor showcases Verne's talent for witty dialogue, sharp social observations, and engaging storytelling. The novel offers a delightful look at 19th-century travel, class dynamics, and human ambition-all wrapped in a charming, lighthearted adventure.

This new edition brings Clovis Dardentor to modern audiences, preserving its humor, wit, and engaging narrative. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Jules Verne or new to his work, this novel provides an entertaining and refreshing change of pace from his more well-known stories.