The Begum's Fortune

The Begum's Fortune. A novel by the pioneering French author Jules Verne, it was originally serialized in 1879 before being published in book form as part of his celebrated Voyages extraordinaires series. The story presents a stark utopian-dystopian contrast between two rival cities founded in the American West with a shared inheritance, exploring themes of militarism, scientific ethics, and nationalism. Illustrated by Léon Benett and first translated into English by W. H. G. Kingston, the work is a notable example of Verne's venture into political fiction and social commentary.

Plot summary

The narrative begins with a legal dispute in London over the vast fortune of a French-Indian Begum, which is ultimately split between two heirs: the altruistic French physician Dr. Sarrasin and the fanatical German chemist Professor Schultze. Each uses his share to found a model city in a remote region of the Pacific Northwest, near the Cascade Range. Dr. Sarrasin establishes the peaceful, health-focused utopia of France-Ville, dedicated to hygiene and communal welfare. In contrast, Professor Schultze creates Stahlstadt (Steel City), a grim, fortress-like industrial complex devoted to forging advanced weapons of mass destruction, including a massive supergun designed to fire projectiles filled with liquid carbon dioxide. The plot follows Dr. Sarrasin's son, Octave, and a French Alsatian engineer, Marcel Bruckmann, who infiltrate Stahlstadt as a spy. They uncover Schultze's genocidal plan to annihilate France-Ville with his supergun, leading to a tense confrontation where the professor's own weapon ultimately causes his demise, ensuring the survival of the utopian community.

Publication history

The novel was first serialized in the magazine *Magasin d’Éducation et de Récréation* from January to December 1879, under the title *Les Cinq cents millions de la Bégum*. It was subsequently published in a single illustrated volume by Verne's longtime publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel in Paris later that same year. The first English translation, by W. H. G. Kingston, was published in 1880 by Sampson Low in London. The original French editions featured the distinctive illustrations of Léon Benett, a frequent collaborator with Hetzel. The work holds a significant place within the extensive Voyages extraordinaires collection, positioned between the novels Dick Sand, A Captain at Fifteen and Tribulations of a Chinaman in China.

Themes and analysis

A primary theme is the critique of rampant militarism and Prussianism in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War, with Professor Schultze embodying a toxic blend of scientific racism and jingoism. The novel contrasts two models of societal progress: the benevolent, public health-oriented application of science in France-Ville versus the destructive, totalitarian weaponization of technology in Stahlstadt. This duality serves as a direct commentary on the contemporary political tensions between France and the German Empire. Furthermore, the story examines the ethical responsibilities of scientists and the potential for technological advancement to be perverted by nationalist ideologies. The character of Marcel, an Alsatian navigating the Franco-German conflict, personalizes the era's geopolitical struggles over regions like Alsace-Lorraine.

Adaptations

The novel has seen several adaptations across different media, though not as frequently as some of Verne's more famous works. A notable French language miniseries titled *Les Cinq cents millions de la Bégum* was produced for ORTF television in France and first aired in 1980. In the realm of radio drama, a BBC Radio 4 adaptation was broadcast in the late 20th century. The novel's core concept of a dystopian weapon-making city has influenced later works in science fiction, with thematic echoes found in narratives about secretive military-industrial complexes. There have also been various graphic novel and comic book interpretations published in Europe, particularly in France and Italy.

Critical reception

Initial reception acknowledged the novel's departure from Verne's typical adventure fiction, with some contemporary critics finding its political allegory heavy-handed. Over time, however, its stature has grown, and modern scholars often highlight it as one of Verne's most prescient and socially engaged works. It is praised for its early exploration of dystopian themes, anticipating later works by authors like H. G. Wells and George Orwell. Critics frequently analyze it within the context of post-Franco-Prussian War European anxieties, the Industrial Revolution, and the nascent arms race. While not as universally popular as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea or Around the World in Eighty Days, it is considered essential for understanding the full scope of Verne's literary and ideological ambitions.

Category:1879 French novels Category:Novels by Jules Verne Category:French science fiction novels