A PRIEST IN 1835 (paperback)

Volume 9 of the Palik Series, published in conjunction with the North American Jules Verne Society

Translated with an introduction and notes,

by Danièle Chatelain and George Slusser

Here is not only a treasure, but a literary revelation—thevery first novel by Jules Verne. Finished by the age of twenty and under theinfluence of Edgar Allan Poe, A Priest in 1835 was composed before Verne encounteredany editors to hone his storytelling skills. Yet this tyro effort is amasterpiece, a gothic tale told in a modernist style with a nonlinearnarrative. Noted science fiction scholars Danièle Chatelain and George Slusseroffer this first English translation, with extensive critical commentary. APriest in 1835 reveals that Verne not only had the prophetic skills that wouldrender him the father of science fiction, but a technique that would win him aplace among the vanguard of 21st century authors. Vintage early engravingsreveal the novel’s actual settings, in Verne’s home town of Nantes.

Review in Scarlet: The Film Magazine

Midwest Review (2021):

Synopsis: "A Priest in 1835" by the 19th Century French author Jules Verne, has now been translated for an American readership with an informative introduction and notes by the team of Daniele Chatelain and George Slusser

"A Priest in 1835" is not only a re-discovered treasure, but a literary revelation. It is the very first novel written by Jules Verne. Finished by the age of twenty and under the influence of Edgar Allan Poe, "A Priest in 1835" was composed before Verne encountered any editors to hone his storytelling skills. Yet this tyro effort is a masterpiece, a gothic tale told in a modernist style with a nonlinear narrative.

In addition to being talented translators, Daniele Chatelain and George Slusser are also noted science fiction scholars and offer Jules Verne fans this first English translation, with extensive critical commentary. "A Priest in 1835" reveals that Verne not only had the prophetic skills that would render him the father of science fiction, but a technique that would win him a place among the vanguard of 21st century authors.

Vintage early engravings reveal the novel's actual settings, in Verne's home town of Nantes.

Critique: An absolute 'must read' for the legions of Jules Verne fans, this newly published edition of "A Priest in 1835" from BearManor Media is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to all community, college, and university library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and Jules Verne fans that "A Priest in 1835" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).