César Cascabel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

César Cascabel

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Jules Verne's adventurous tale follows circus family owner César Cascabel as he transports his troupe across the frozen Bering Strait and through Siberia. Facing extreme cold, treacherous ice, and political intrigue, the family forms unexpected alliances with Russian exiles and indigenous peoples. A thrilling journey of endurance, humor, and heart, this classic adventure celebrates resilience and the bonds of family against the backdrop of a vast, unforgiving wilderness.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1890, Jules Verne's *César Cascabel* chronicles the perilous journey of a traveling circus family as they attempt to return from California to their native Normandy. In 1867, circus impresario César Cascabel finally saves enough money to purchase a secure safe for his fortune, but his dream of returning home is complicated by the harsh reality of crossing the frozen Bering Strait. The family, accompanied by their loyal dogs and horses, sets off from Port Clarence, navigating the treacherous ice fields of Alaska and Siberia. The narrative introduces Mr. Sergius, a Russian political convict who escaped exile and travels with the troupe. Sergius reveals that his father, Count Narkine, is in Russia and that an amnesty has been granted to political prisoners, setting the stage for a dramatic climax. As the family travels south, they face severe cold, desolate landscapes, and the challenges of winter quarters among the Yakut people. The journey is fraught with danger, from shifting ice currents to the fatigue of the animals. However, the story blends high-stakes adventure with family dynamics and Verne's characteristic optimism. A significant subplot involves the discovery of a large gold nugget by César's son, Sander, in the Cariboo, which adds to their wealth upon their return. The narrative reaches its dramatic peak during a circus performance in Perm. Here, Cascabel orchestrates a daring rescue, revealing Sergius's true identity and freeing him from his captors, who are actually fellow circus performers posing as bandits. The story concludes with the family's successful return to France. Along the way, Sergius marries Cascabel's daughter, Kayette, and the family settles in Normandy. The tale showcases the human spirit's ability to overcome nature's harshest elements, ending with the family united, wealthy, and safe in their homeland.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/jules-verne_cesar-cascabel.epub

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data/epubs/url-fbf5eda3df6afc52.epub

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2026-06-29 19:04 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Travel