The Begum’s Fortune by Jules Verne – Dystopian Books Review
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Review, Synopsis, and Summary of the Dystopian Novel the Begum’s Fortune
Jules Verne’s novel The Begum’s Fortune is a Utopian / Dystopian fiction, first published in 1879. The first publication Vern remained cautionary and somewhat pessimistic about science and technology. The author designated this story describing two men who inherited lots of money as the descendants of a French soldier who settled in India and married a rich widow from a local prince. The prince carried the Begum royal title.
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Author: Jules Verne
Genre: Utopian / Dystopian Fiction
Pages: 256
Goodreads Rating: 3.63 of 5
My Rating: 7 of 10
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Review and Summary of the Dystopian Novel The Begum’s Fortune
***Warning Spoilers Below This Point***
First of the inheritors is a French physician, Dr Sarasin, concerned about the unsanitary conditions of European cities. The second is a German Scientist Prof. Schultz, a militarist and racist. He always claims that the Germans are superior to French.
He published many Articles proving German’s superiority over other civilizations. Both of them develop their own utopian cities. Dr Sarasin establishes a utopian model city constructed and maintained to focus on public health as it is the government’s primary concern. Schultz constructs a city devoted to the production of destructive weapons and vows to destroy Sarasin’s city.
Sarasin names his city Ville-France and Schultz names his city Stahlstadt. Schultz produces a substantial industrial and mining complex and starts the conversion of ores into steel to produce weapons. Schultz set-up the biggest arms producer and dictator in the area.
He appoints no person to fulfil high-value management posts. He manages and dictates all the matters himself. Everyone lives under strict law and punishments in the city. Dr Sarasin attempts to keep peace in the city. He enjoys working with his management team and consults about different matters.
He remains devoted to providing a better life for his citizens. Schultz designs a gas to fire system at the Ville-France presenting a super-canon. Dr Sarasin’s city came under threat. Schultz specifically developed the weapon with the hope to destroy Dr Sarasin’s city. The gas suffocates its victims and freezes them. Schultz fails in his plan and meets a catastrophic end.
Ville-France luckily stayed safe after Schultz missed his target. The gas explodes away from the city. He again prepares for the final assault; a gas projectile in the office accidentally explodes and kills him. Good French men take over all arms to use them for security and peace.
Final Say on The Dystopian Novel The Begum’s Fortune
Vern shows a pessimistic approach to science and technology. He compares two cities to highlight the issues about the use of science for the production of weapons. The story explains a more beneficial way to use science and technology.
He provided clues of Hitler’s Dictatorship through the character description of Schultz. The book offers an interesting and convincing storyline. I, therefore, rated the book a 7 out of 10.
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