The Lighthouse at the End of the World

by Jules Verne

Paperback, 2007

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Rating

½ (59 ratings; 3.5)

Publication

Bison Books (2007), Paperback, 210 pages

Description

At the extreme tip of South America, Staten Island has piercing Antarctic winds, lonely coasts assaulted by breakers, and sailors lost as their vessels smash on the dark rocks. Now that civilization dares to rule here, a lighthouse penetrates the last and wildest place of all. But Vasquez, the guardian of the sacred light, has not reckoned with the vicious, desperate Kongre gang, who murder his two friends and force him out into the wilderness. Alone, without resources, can he foil their cruel plans?   A gripping tale of passion and perseverance, Verne's testament novel paints a compelling picture of intrigue and heroism, schemes and calamities. The master storyteller returns here to the theme of civilization against its two oldest enemies: pitiless nature and men's savagery.… (more)

Language

Original language

French

User reviews

LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Written in 1905, Lighthouse at the End of the World is a novel of both survival and revenge. In the 1850s the Argentine navy built a lighthouse at Isla de los Estados, located on the southern tip of South America, near the Magellan Strait that connects the Atlantic and the Pacific. Three lighthouse
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keepers are left on the island to protect the world's ships in the dangerous and stormy seas surrounding the island. Unknown to them, a gang of pirates is also stranded on the island, lead by an evil man named Kongre. After killing two of the lighthouse keepers, the remaining man named Vasquez is forced to hide alone in the wilderness, hoping the returning ship will come back and save him. During a particularly bad storm the pirates draw in an American ship, killing all on board except the First Officer, John Davis. Vasquez and Davis team up to try to capture the pirates.

Verne’s novel paints a gripping picture of intrigue and heroism. You can see the beginnings of the modern action novel in this short book. Written at the end of his life, Lighthouse was revised by his son, and is not considered one of his best works. I thought it was a really good book that completely captured my attention. The author excelled in capturing the turbulent atmosphere of an island at the end of the world.
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