Foundling Mick — Jules Verne

Jules Verne's rediscovered Irish novel, from the collections of the National Library of Ireland, is a heart-warming story of a young orphan's trials and tribulations in the late nineteenth century. Published in full by the Royal Irish Academy for the first time since its 1895 debut in English, it is a fascinating description of and commentary on nineteenth century Ireland. The Extraordinary Adventures of Foundling Mick takes readers on a tour of Ireland and her social classes. Mick's travels include visits to Westport, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork, and Belfast, all of which are beautifully described. On his journey, he meets beggars, thieves, farmers, and landlords. Finally, our hero reaches Dublin where his fortunes thankfully change for the better. Often described as Verne's tribute to Charles Dickens, this book also shows the Frenchman's affection and respect for Ireland and her people.