The question of the exact number of literary works created by the legendary French science fiction writer often causes controversy among researchers and classics lovers. Jules Verne left behind a colossal legacy, which includes not only famous adventure stories, but also scientific treatises, plays and poems. The exact number depends on the calculation methodology: whether unfinished works, reprints under new titles, or posthumous publications edited by the author's son are counted.
Most academic sources agree that the writer created more than 60 full-length novels included in the series "Extraordinary Journeys". However, if all published texts are considered, including early works and works published after the author's death, the figure increases significantly. It is important to understand that 64 novels - this is the canonical number of works published during the lifetime or immediately after the death of the writer as part of the main series.
In this article we will analyze in detail the structure of the author’s bibliography, divide his work into periods and answer the most popular statistical questions. You will learn why some books are considered “lost,” how Michel Verne influenced his father’s texts, and which works are worth reading first to get acquainted with the 19th-century science fiction genre.
Main series “Extraordinary Journeys”
The centerpiece of Jules Verne's creative legacy is the series of novels known as "Extraordinary Journeys" (Voyages extraordinaires). It was these books that brought the author world fame and formed the canon of the genre. Publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel played a key role in shaping the series, releasing two volumes each year, giving readers the feeling of a continuous stream of new adventures.
As part of this series, 62 novels were published during the writer's lifetime. This includes such masterpieces as “Five Weeks in a Balloon,” “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” and “Around the World in Eighty Days.” These works are united not only by genre, but also by a deep study of geographical and technical details, which was the author’s calling card.
- 🌍 Geographic accuracy: Each journey is carefully verified according to the maps of that time.
- 🚀 Technical progress: Descriptions of mechanisms were often ahead of the capabilities of the era.
- 📚 Educational aspect: Novels were intended as a way to popularize science.
After the writer's death, his son Michel Verne published two more novels, which are also considered part of the main series: Chasing the Meteor and The Golden Volcano. Thus, the classical bibliography contains 64 novels. Some researchers add here the early novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” although formally it is also included in the general list.
Early work and “lost” manuscripts
Before collaborating with Etzel and launching the famous series, Jules Verne wrote many works that remained unknown to the general public for a long time. These works, often called "childhood novels" or early experiences, include historical novels, dramas, and adventure stories. They differ significantly in style from the mature works and are often darker or satirical in nature.
⚠️ Attention: Many early manuscripts were discovered and published only in the second half of the 20th century, which caused confusion in the general numbering of the author’s works.
The novel deserves special attention "Paris in the 20th century". Written in 1863, it was rejected by the publisher as too pessimistic and out of keeping with the positive spirit of the times. The manuscript was lost and found only in 1989 by the great-great-grandson of the writer. The publication of this text became a sensation, as the book predicted the appearance of the subway, gas lamps, calculators and even the Internet.
The early period also includes historical novels such as Scotland under James V and Black India (though the latter is closer to the mature period). It's important to note that literary scholars There is still debate about whether these works should be included in the main canon. For a complete collection of works, their number can reach a dozen additional volumes.
What happened in “Paris in the 20th Century”?
The novel describes Paris in 1960, where glass skyscrapers, high-speed trains, gas-lit streets and the widespread use of cars reign. The main character, a poet, feels out of place in the world of triumph of technology and commerce, which leads him to a tragic ending. The book is a radical departure from the optimistic tone of Extraordinary Journeys.
Posthumous publications and the role of Michel Verne
The topic of posthumous publications is one of the most difficult in the bibliography of Jules Verne. After the writer's death in 1905, his son Michel Verne took over the role of literary executor of the will. He published several novels found in his father's archives, but the extent of his own authorship in these texts remains a subject of heated debate.
Michel didn't just edit drafts; he often rewrote entire chapters, changed endings, and added new plotlines to tailor the stories to the tastes of early 20th-century audiences. Such controversial works include "Invasion of the Sea", "The Lighthouse at the End of the World" and "The Golden Volcano". In some cases, the son's text exceeded the volume of the father's original by several times.
| Title of the novel | Year of publication | Authorship status | The role of Michel Verne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chasing the meteor | 1908 | Joint | Significant reworking |
| Golden Volcano | 1906 | Controversial | Complete rewrite of the finale |
| Lighthouse at the end of the world | 1905 | Posthumous | Plot Expansion |
| Sea invasion | 1905 | Posthumous | Editing and edits |
Modern editions often label these books as "Jules and Michel Verne" to give credit to both authors. It is important for researchers to distinguish between the “pure” Jules Verne and the version that passed through the hands of his son, since the philosophical mood and narrative style in them can be radically different.
When purchasing complete works, pay attention to the year of publication and the editors' comments - in old Soviet and pre-revolutionary editions, the texts were often censored or abbreviated.
Drama, poetry and scientific works
Jules Verne was not only a novelist, but also a prolific playwright. Many of his popular novels were adapted for the stage by the author himself, often in collaboration with other writers. For example, the play Around the World in 80 Days was a huge success and ran in theaters for decades. In total, he has about 20 plays, some of which have been staged more often than the original books.
In addition, the writer created a number of librettos for operettas, which was a popular genre in 19th-century France. His collaboration with composer Jacques Offenbach brought the world such works as "Doctor Ox". These works demonstrate the author's versatility and his ability to work in different formats.
- 🎭 Theatrical adaptations: "Children of Captain Grant", "The Mysterious Island".
- 🎼 Operetta legacy: Lyrical and comic plays.
- 📜 Poetry: Early poems published in magazines.
It deserves special mention popular science works. Jules Verne was a member of the Geographical Society and carefully studied materials before writing books. His essays on the history of geographical discoveries ("History of Great Voyages") are considered a valuable source, although written in popular language. These works helped shape public interest in the exploration of Africa, the Arctic and Antarctica.
Translation statistics and global influence
In terms of the number of translations, Jules Verne ranks second in the world after Agatha Christie and ahead of Shakespeare and Dickens. His books have been translated into 148 languages, including the languages of small nations. Such popularity is due to the universality of the themes: the desire for knowledge, the spirit of adventure and belief in the triumph of the human mind are understandable in any culture.
In the Soviet Union and modern Russia, Verne's work enjoyed a special status. It is believed that it was his books that inspired many Soviet engineers, designers and cosmonauts. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Sergey Korolev recognized the influence of the ideas of the French science fiction writer on the development of astronautics.
The publishing statistics are amazing: every year dozens of new editions of his novels are published around the world. New illustrations are created, modern translations are made, films are made and performances are staged. Not a single generation grew up without knowing the names of Captain Nemo or Robur the Conqueror.
Jules Verne is the most translated science fiction author in history, whose predictions have come true with amazing accuracy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many books did Jules Verne write, including all genres?
If we take into account all genres, including novels, stories, plays, poems, scientific essays and songs, the total number of works exceeds 100 units. However, the “golden fund” is considered to be 64 novels in the “Extraordinary Journeys” series.
Is it true that Jules Verne predicted the moon landing?
Yes, in the novel From the Earth to the Moon (1865), he described the launch of a space projectile from Florida, a crew of three, and even rough calculations of the speed and time of flight, which surprisingly coincided with the real Apollo 11 mission 104 years later.
What was the last novel by Jules Verne to be published?
The last novel published during the author’s lifetime was “The Lord of the World” (1904). However, after his death, “Chasing the Meteor” and “The Golden Volcano” were published, which are considered the completion of the bibliography.
Why do some of Verne's books have different titles?
This is due to the peculiarities of translations and publications in different countries. Publishers often changed titles to attract attention or