Prof. Arthur Evans Edits First Complete English Translation of Jules Verne's Debut Novel

June 2, 2015

Arthur B. Evans, professor emeritus of modern languages (French) at DePauw University, is the editor of the first complete English translation of Five Weeks in a Balloon: A Journey of Discovery by Three Englishmen in Africa, Jules Verne's debut novel.  The book has been published by Wesleyan University Press as part of its Early Classics of Science Fiction series.

"One of the great 'first novels' in world literature is now available in a complete, accurate English translation," notes a synopsis. "Prepared by two of America's leading Verne scholars, Frederick Paul Walter and Arthur B. Evans, this edition honors not only Verne's farseeing science, but also his zest, style, and storytelling brilliance. Initially published in 1863, Five Weeks in a Balloon was the first novel in what would become the author's 'Extraordinary Voyages' series.

"This is essential reading for Verneans as well as the go-to text for ordinary readers seeking an accurate translation of one of Verne’s most popular and significant novels," according to Michael Dirda, author of Classics for Pleasure and On Conan Doyle.

Read more, and order the book, here or at Amazon.com.

Art Evans, who is retiring from the DePauw faculty at the conclusion of the academic year, won the 2014 Cyrano Prize for his scholarly contributions to the field of French science fiction. Forbes has called the professor, who has published numerous books and articles on Jules Verne, as "the most prominent Verne scholar in the U.S." Dr. Evans serves as the managing editor of Science Fiction Studies, and is the general editor of Wesleyan’s Early Classics of Science Fiction series.

Back