The Mysterious Island
by Jules Verne
English • 1875 • Public Domain • Free to stream
The Mysterious Island, published in 1875, follows five Union prisoners who escape from a Confederate prison camp during the American Civil War by stealing a balloon — and are blown thousands of miles off course to land on an uncharted volcanic island in the Pacific. Engineer Cyrus Harding leads the group in building a civilisation from nothing, using knowledge, ingenuity, and teamwork to survive. But the island holds secrets, and a mysterious benefactor appears to be watching over them.
The novel is Verne's most optimistic work — a celebration of science, intelligence, and human cooperation. It is also a sequel to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and Captain Nemo makes a memorable return. The Mysterious Island is less well-known than Verne's other works but widely considered his richest. The book is in the public domain and streams free here — no signup, no subscription, no ads.
About the book: The Mysterious Island
The novel by Jules Verne was serialised from August 1874 to September 1875 and then published in book form in November 1875. An early draft of the novel was rejected by Verne's publisher and wholly reconceived before publication.
The story follows five Northern prisoners of war who escape during the American Civil War by hijacking a hydrogen-filled observation balloon and crash-land on an unknown island. Using their knowledge, they sustain themselves and start to think of themselves as colonists. The book matters as a classic adventure story that connects to Verne's other works.
The translator of the novel and other Verne books was actually the translator's wife, Agnes Kinloch Kingston, who had studied on the continent in her youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mysterious Island free to listen to?
Yes, The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne is completely free to stream. No account or subscription required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote The Mysterious Island?
The Mysterious Island was written by Jules Verne, published in 1875. It is a sequel to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Is The Mysterious Island in the public domain?
Yes, The Mysterious Island is in the public domain worldwide and free to read, share, and listen to.
How long is The Mysterious Island to listen to?
The Mysterious Island takes approximately 22 hours to listen to in full.
When was The Mysterious Island written?
The Mysterious Island was first published in 1875. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates The Mysterious Island?
The Mysterious Island uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
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What genre is The Mysterious Island?
The Mysterious Island is Adventure. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.