Great science fiction often has at its heart a simple question, "What if.....?" and then the story follows the consequences of this. This simplicity will usually be disguised by the complex future worlds constructed as a setting, but its often there. Jules Verne was one of the first to ask this sort of question. In "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" it was what if there were tunnels leading many miles underground, what would an explorer find there. In this novel its what if someone constructed a submarine and lived his life exploring the oceans. What would he find?
The story itself is fairly straightforward. A strange and terrifying creature is causing problems in the sea's. Professor Aronnax joins a crew hunting the creature but discovers it is actually a submarine captained by the mysterious Captain Nemo. He holds him (and his companions) captive and takes him on a series of adventures around the depths of the worlds oceans.
The setting for this story is very Victorian. In fact, the day to day life on board the submarine feels like it could be a Victorian gentleman's house, with everything from servants behind the scenes running things, to a drawing room and library to relax in. Of course, much of this feels dated today just as many of Jules Verne's idea's for what would be found in the oceans have proved incorrect (such as his idea that a submarine could find its way to the South Pole). But this should not detract from what is a classic work as many of today's science fiction stories will one day feel the same.
This is definitely a classic early science fiction work which is well worth a read.
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