Wishful Thinking
"Five Weeks in a Balloon", first published in 1863, launched Jules Verne into stardom. He don't need to work the rest of his life, but the Frenchman was passionate on science and recent discoveries. The kingdoms of Europe have its eyes on Africa, but there was little knowledge on the continent. The novel recounted the successful attempt of Dr. Samuel Fergusson and Joe, his manservant, to travel from Zanzibar, an island off Tanzania, to Saint-Louis, in modern-day Senegal, by hot air balloon. They discovered the arid interior, which was similar to the northern parts of Africa. It was far from the truth, but Verne could be forgiven for his imagination.
When the first English-language edition of "Five Weeks in a Balloon" came out, there have been numerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean and Africa. Verne was hailed in his homeland. He blurred the lines between fiction and reality. It turned out he was close to the mark. Not bad for someone who became an influential figure in science fiction.
Verne's works made an impact on succeeding generations of science fiction writers. Eric Brown was one of them.
London, 1930
"Already I longed for the solitude of my island retreat."
"Six Weeks in a Balloon" (2005) was a well-crafted short story about an unlikely meeting between Joe Smith and George Orwell. Everyone knew who the latter was, and Brown's description of the young author was spot on. (He was the true British eccentric, and he might not have a clue about it. The few people who knew him would attest to it.) Joe Smith turned out to be Dr. Fergusson's manservant and the inheritor of his fortune. And he had a terrible secret to share with the young Orwell.
Brown, also a renowned science fiction author himself, wrote a short tale that would put Verne on a defensive. The Frenchman penned Adventure novels sans the political motives. The Briton, on the other hand, linked the landmark African voyage to the simmering British-German relations. Dr. Fergusson was a jingoistic fellow, and Joe was an unwilling spectator. This was one of the causes of the Great War. These would have an impact on the young Orwell, but the ending didn't suggest that the meeting inspired him to pen “Animal Farm”.
A younger generation will appreciate Verne's thirst for adventure, but Brown's tale will elicit a different reaction. They'll hardly relate to Europe of the early 20th century. The European migrant crisis is a different matter. Perhaps freezing temperature would make them sympathize with those who died from extreme cold. (It may also put a temporary stop on the exodus.) Brown looked up at Orwell. Born in British India, Orwell spent his time in kips and spikes. It influenced his writings, but Verne wouldn't be seen in such places. But what if.
