The Mysterious Island
Jules Verne
Read by Mark F. Smith





A story of castaways, similar to Robinson Crusoe and The Swiss Family Robinson, this book details the escape from Civil War-era Richmond, Virginia, of five Northern men who dared to go aloft in a balloon in the midst of a hurricane. Deposited on a lonely island in the Pacific, they make do with Yankee ingenuity where Chance has left them nothing. Only later do they find they have a hidden benefactor: Captain Nemo, of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, who resides, alone, secretly on the island. In time, the tiny colony becomes so prosperous that it is able to rescue another castaway from an island a hundred miles away. But all their work will come to naught - their island's volcano is about to awake! (Summary by Mark) (21 hr 58 min)
Chapters
Reviews





Rogue Nerd
Very interesting and dramatic scientific novel of survival via cooperation, respect and friendship. A beautiful community of males with nothing to prove or to measure relative to place. No females to undermine the plot. I really enjoyed the story. The volunteer did an excellant reading.
Adventures & Entertaining, Fabulous reader





J11
Entertaining castaway story, kepted one drawled in. Another example of why Jules Verne was such a great writer. The mayor short coming of the story was; that they landed on the inland with only the clothes on there back, but they made so much. The Engineer was like The Professor of Gilligan's Island and MacGyver all rolled into one. Reader amazing!!!
Bravo from Borneo





Lord Jim
Outstanding tale and very well read. What a heroic adventure. So much detail...I was totally captivated throughout. I've spent the last few years listening to sci-fi books. This classic was such a surprising break and I'm so pleased I gave it a listen. On to other Jules Verne classics now.
Murder Mystery Theatre, "The Butler Did It," with Mark Smith





Darlene Boda
this most excellent experience of listening to this reading by Mark Smith could only have been improved by NOT reading his description of the book, which totally revealed the mystery of the island and also gave away the ending. Spoilers, man.
An Epic Tome - Spoiler Alert!





CpnKelly
Typically descriptive and flowing with imagery and education. Classic Verne. Beautifully read. SPOILER ALERT! Sad that the very mysterious key of the whole book is revealed in the description, which clearly needs rewriring to spare future readers' spoiled enjoyment.
One of Verne's best!





Seven Archers
The best work by Jules Verne that I read to date. Mark didn't excellent job as usual. Thank you sir for your hard work for the enjoyment of many.
excellent reader, engaging story





Jae
I listened to this over a span of a few months while in the tractor. it was extremely engaging and I couldn't wait until my next excuse to listen. the reader was excellent throughout and the quality of the audio was crisp and clear
all around great





A LibriVox Listener
Text: Great classic novel. The in-depth research by the author is readily apparent and pleases my inner nerd. Reader: This was one of the best readers I've listened to in a while. Very clear, consistent mic quality, easily listenable on 2x speed.