Category Archives: Weight Loss with Mental Illness

Good news! It’s Been a Good Winning Streak this Summer. Plan to Keep It Up Going into Fall

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Good news! It’s been a good stretch the last several days. The window AC is working really well; I’m sleeping most of the night and still up by 430 am most days. Now down to taking only one blood pressure medication as needed. Half of the days I don’t need it at all. Down to taking minimum doses for only two psych medications. And I have been stable for months.

Even though I gained a few pounds over the last couple months (which is essentially maintaining because a good trip to the bathroom would change that calculus entirely). Meals are good most days. Breakfasts are always good. Had coffee cake, eggs, and sausage and oatmeal for breakfast today. A hearty breakfast even in the middle of a long stretch of 100 plus degree days here in Oklahoma. Welcome to the South, I guess.

Looking forward to the start of college football season. My Huskers, from what I’ve seen, will likely be quite improved though the final win loss records might not show much improvement, if any. They play three playoffs’ teams from last year and have at least three other games that are probably tossups.

Probably go to a second-tier bowl game for the third year in a row. But it’s still better than what we’ve had for the previous 10 to 12 years. Nebraska has got to be the only college football team in America who can win only 4 or 5 games a year for several years and still draw over 80,000 fans every Saturday afternoon. Not the Victory, But the Action, indeed. Of course, in Oklahoma, the Sooners are looking to build off last year and Oklahoma State has an entirely new coaching staff for the first time in a generation.

My fantasy baseball has become dominant the last three weeks since All Star Game break. And this is my first season back after taking a couple years off. Who knew all I needed was to completely start over with rookies and underrated free agents and favorable trades? Usually takes a few years for this to work in real life (see the Rangers, Brewers, White Sox, etc).

Meanwhile my Rockies look to finish dead last again for like the sixth year in a row or something. Now I know how the old Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) felt back in the 70s and 80s. Thank goodness the Rox have a decent ballpark and no stupid 70s era promotions like Ten Cent Per Beer night, without limits. That promo and the White Sox having Disco Demolition night in 1979. Only in America and only in the 1970s.

I’m still kind of glowing from how good the World Cup went. It was a really fun month long, transcontinental once in a generation party. Doesn’t matter to me the US lost in the Round of 16 even with the Red Card madness beforehand. Pity those in power always got to keep the peasants separated and fighting among ourselves. It’s like the small-town high school letting the bullies run amok while they slowly take away all the students’ benefits and blame the ‘lousy kids these days’ for problems they won’t address. And it never changes even with new teachers and principals.

Lost 80 pounds in the last eleven months. Down 160 pounds overall since mid 2024. Haven’t been this low since 2013. Last regular part-time job I worked at was in 2012. I was janitor and maintenance man on my feet four hours a night, five nights a week. At least I had weekends and federal holidays off and didn’t have to see my boss more than once a day.

And to think the hospital staff is still not wanting me to learn how to walk again. *groan* But haven’t been able to easily walk in two years. Even though I’ve lost a significant amount of weight they are still leery about me taking those first steps.

Thankfully the swelling is almost gone entirely. Recently bought new hospital gowns that fit better than any clothing I’ve had in like 10 years. And they cost me only 40 bucks through Amazon and I got them on two days delivery.

Things are looking up more than usual these days. Saw my doctor this morning, finally. He’s all shocked I lost 80 pounds without trying (I wanted to anyway). Amazing what one can accomplish when keeping sugar to a minimum and cutting artificial sweetener out entirely. I’m convinced that people fifty years from now will look back on sugar and artificial sweeteners in everything with the same horror people do now at leaded gasoline and doctors’ promoting cigarettes.

Starting to see some real results after years of planning and hard work. I have proven what I’m doing actually works even if I’m not running triathlons or have only 7 percent body fat. Never had to. Pity I didn’t get rid of the sugar and artificial sweeteners and excessive carbs back in 2012. Better news overall than most of the last fourteen years. Maybe years of chicken crap are turning into chicken salad.

Improved Health and Longer-Term Thinking

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It’s kind of odd that the older I have gotten the longer term in my thinking has become. I did not expect this ten years ago.

I think one of the reasons I’m more of a long-term thinker is because my health has dramatically improved in the last few years. I’ve been at this long-term care facility for almost ten months. The biggest goal I haven’t accomplished yet is being able to walk again. I want to lose some more weight before I try physical therapy again.

I’ve lost around 120 pounds in the last ten months overall. I’m almost the same weight now as I was at my grandmother’s funeral in 2015. And I was in good enough shape then to serve as a pallbearer for my grandmother and a groomsman at a friend’s wedding that same summer.

I sit on the side of the bed every day for at least a couple hours. It helps rebuild my balance and I think it helps my back muscles. The only thing really limiting how long I can sit without back support is my bad tailbone. I injured my tailbone in a high school football game when I was a teenager, and it never completely healed. At least I don’t have nerve pain anymore, thank goodness. I suppose the tailbone is one of those chronic aches and pains from the misadventures of my younger years.

Thankfully my ankles, knees, and feet don’t hurt anymore. For a while I occasionally got cases of gout that wouldn’t allow me to walk much except to go to the bathroom. It started in my early thirties. But I haven’t had a case of gout since I moved to the downtown.

My knee pain cleared up over the winter. Even the weather changes don’t effect my knees as much as they did a year ago. I still have some stiffness and limited range of motion, but I can easily lift my legs and knees and hold for several seconds. Sometimes when the nurses’ aides are helping me clean up, I’ll lift both legs and hold them for as long as twenty seconds just to show off. I almost brought one kind hearted aide to tears of joy with how much I have improved over the last several months a few days ago.

I no longer have swelling in my lower legs. In fact, my calves are kind of skinny now. My feet haven’t been swollen for a long time. I can even cut my own toe nails again. I don’t need to keep the call button on my bed. I can reach it on the wall now. I don’t need the extended cord for the call button or even the regular length one anymore.

Most days the meals are pretty good. Just today we had biscuits and gravy for breakfast, roast beef for lunch, and jalapeno cheeseburger for supper. I eat three hot meals a day and I still lose weight most months. Whoever designed my diet is doing an incredible job. I eat home cooked meals three times a day and I still lose weight most months. I think it helps that I hardly ever eat sugary snacks and never ask for second helpings. First few weeks were kind of rough. But I eventually adapted.

Sleeping most of the night anymore. I usually wake up for good around 5am. That’s usually when the night shift makes their last check in for the night. Breakfast usually arrives around 730am or so. After breakfast, I usually fall asleep for another couple hours. Anymore I sleep through the morning cleaning staff cleaning my apartment.

I am doing well. Five years ago, I wasn’t sure I would make it to 2026. But here I am and, other than not being able to walk without assistance yet, I am in better shape now than I was ten years ago. I keep as active and positive as I can. I want to lose more weight before I try physical therapy again, ideally in a few more months. But now that a lot of my health has stabilized and improved, I can see that I probably will be able to walk again someday.

Updates, June 2026. Getting Better with Age

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Recently celebrated nine months in my current home here in OKC. A lot has changed for me. Updates are in order.

I am now cured of sleep apnea. Stopped using the CPAP machine in March. In my case my sleep apnea was cured by losing weight and fat. Been sleeping so well without the CPAP machine that I almost forgot what sleeping with it was like.

I’m cured of anemia too. It’s a good feeling to not feel weak and sleepy all the time. I sleep probably only half of what I slept even a year ago. Back to being a night owl and regularly writing. It’s a great feeling.

Even my mental illness isn’t as severe now as it was even one year ago. I still take two anti-psychotic medications, which I have been on since a DNA test revealed they would be good for me back in 2015. On top of that, I take only half of the dose I was with one of my medications that I was eight months ago. I haven’t even taken anxiety medications in over a year.

Much of my arthritis pain is gone, especially in my hands and feet. I still have some in my knees. But that will probably get better as I continue to lose weight.

Even my bladder isn’t as weak as it was a few years ago. I forgot how good it feels to hold in taking a pee simply because I can. Sure, my bladder isn’t as strong as it was in my late twenties when I went on road trips with my friends and we stop only for gas and food. At least I can hold in a piss for a longer time than I could a year ago.

Most of the water retention is gone. I can easily wear tight shorts and sweatpants again. As much as I appreciate a good pair of shorts or pants, I can totally understand why the Greeks and Romans liked togas with as much as I’ve worn hospital gowns while my swelling was going down.

I don’t need as much sleep anymore. I sleep like three hours in the night and then three hours in the morning after breakfast. It’s kind of odd to have more free time than I had the last few years because I’m not spending ten to fourteen hours a day sleeping. It’s a great feeling though.

I still don’t socialize much with other patients. I do socialize with the nurses’ aides, nurses, etc. several times a day. So, I’m not totally anti-social.

I usually get weighed the first week of every month. I’m due to be weighed again in a few days. If my body is any indication, I have lost weight in the last 30 days. I’ve lost weight most months I’ve been here in OKC. And I still eat three hot, home cooked meals every day. Heck, because I now eat three home cooked meals every day is probably why I’m losing weight most months.

I haven’t had any real crisis in several months. Sure, I have had annoyances. Most of those clear up within a few days or with a conversation or two with someone else. Even my mail getting lost for a few days isn’t a crisis anymore. Annoyance? Yes. Crisis? No.

I do love being in my forties. The gray hairs and the receding hair line don’t bother me any. Stuff that used to set me off even ten years ago I can laugh at now. I guess it helps that I had most of my crisis in my twenties and early thirties. Being 45 is a heck of a lot more fun than being 35.

I have gotten more respect since turning 40 years old than I did at any previous point in my life. Being a middle-aged man is far better than I could have ever imagined when I first went on disability pension.

Memorial Day Weekend 2026

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Memorial Day weekend starts today. Unofficial start of summer here in the US. The schools have let out for the summer here in the city. After several days of cool and rainy weather it’s starting to feel like early summer. And I am loving it.

Traditionally summers have been my toughest time of year. August is typically my worst month for mental health problems. Maybe this year will be different. This is going to be my first summer since 2021 I am effectively living by myself. In summer 2022 I had an awful roommate who was hard of hearing, watched his tv at full volume and always watched reality tv and Doomsday Preppers. He was often sit in his wheelchair in the middle of the room and always refused to move his chair out of the way whenever I had to use the bathroom. He finally got moved in September after he yelled at and kicked a nurse. Wasn’t sorry to see him leave. After he left, I did four months of physical therapy, got far more mentally stable, and lost a bunch of weight.

In February 2023 I got well enough to make the move from rural Nebraska to suburban Oklahoma City. I lived with my parents until something permanent came open. Originally, I was hoping to find something by the end of summer 2023. Turns out I didn’t find anything permanent until summer 2025. Two and a half years of little privacy and watching my parents age and decline messed with my head. It got bad enough that for several months I left my room only to use the bathroom, clean up, and make my own dinner. It was just too painful watching my parents decline. That, and the house wasn’t wheelchair accessible. Even the front door and sidewalk was too narrow for my wheelchair. In some ways, it wasn’t much better than being in jail.

Eventually the hard times ended. My hard times ended when I moved to a facility in the downtown area. I moved here on Labor Day weekend in 2025. I have been doing well and making improvements in the last nine months I have lived here.

Medication wise, I’m down to only one blood pressure medication per day. I take only two psych meds a day instead of the three I was on when I first moved here. And one of the two medications I am currently on is only half the dose I was a taking when I first moved here. Most of my arthritis is gone as long as I take Tylenol and ibophrophen once a day.

I’m on good enough terms with the aides and nurses now that they don’t bother me much and generally leave me alone unless I really need help. I can stand up but still can’t walk from the bed to the front door. I have lost over 100 pounds in the last eight months and lost over 170 pounds since March 2020. I have a new goal of eventually being below 200 pounds. Probably take another few years. But I have developed better habits, have a stable living arrangement for the first time since late 2021, and am not worried about irritable neighbors trying to get me evicted. I thrive in circumstances where I have enough money to eat healthy meals and am not worried about getting kicked out of my home on a landlord’s whim and neighbors’ lies. The cost of rent has gotten inhumane in most places in the US in the last several years.

In other news, my blog is starting to get some real attention. I think it helps that I have been writing an average of once or twice a week for the past 14 years. A few dollars a day worth of advertising really helps. No different than any business. No one is going to visit if they don’t know I’m out here.

I haven’t done this well for this long ever. It’s cool to finally have some privacy and autonomy that people actually respect. I enjoy living where people aren’t going to go through my personal things or look over my shoulder when I’m writing, reading, or doing computer simulation games.

It’s good to have neighbors who aren’t always spying on me or whispering behind my back whenever I run errands. I never had that until I moved to my current home. It’s good that it’s actually quiet here at night most nights. I don’t have to listen to neighbors blasting their tv or arguing with each other most nights.

It’s nice to live in a complex where the cops aren’t showing up every day to break up domestic disputes or investigate thefts or assaults. Goodness knows I never had that in 16 years of living in low-income housing even in a small town. The last three to four years were the worst. The pandemic made it unbearable to even leave my apartment. Thankful I’m no longer in that toxic hellhole mess. Only time I had privacy as a kid was when I went to the backyard. And sometimes the neighborhood kids would watch me as I paced and made up stories. It was like, ‘God, why can’t these people get a life.’

Thankfully my life is no longer like that. I am never voluntarily going back to that kind of life. I don’t care if I am loved by my neighbor. I just want him to leave me the hell alone. At least I get that here in the city. And I love it. My goodness I love it. First in my life I can truly be free to be myself without blowback and repercussions. Where was this the first 45 years of my life? Now I would love to make it another 45 years if I can live the way I currently go.

A Fresh Start: Overcoming Challenges and Building Connections

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I’m doing well after eight months in my new home. First time since the pandemic that my living situation has stabilized. I’m now down to only one blood pressure medication per day. My water retention swelling is gone.

I’ve lost over 100 pounds in the last eight months. I’ve gotten much closer to my brother and his family since moving to Oklahoma in 2023. I probably would have moved a few years sooner if not for the pandemic.

Reading a lot of audiobooks again. I started on The Old Testament of the King James Bible around last Christmas. I’m halfway through. I’m listening to lots of history and economics books too. Recently finished one about the Oil Shortages of the 1970s. Currently working on post-Soviet Union Russia in the 1990s.

Been following sports a lot since last Christmas. Became an Oklahoma City Thunder fan when I moved to Oklahoma in 2023. It’s fun watching them making another deep push in the playoffs.

I became a Colorado Avalanche fan in 1995 after Denver got that team. Looks like they too could make a deep run in the Stanley Cup. The Rockies are not horrible this year in baseball.

Nebraska Husker men’s basketball had its best season ever this year making the third round of the NCAA tournament. And it’s looking like Nebraska football could potentially have a better team this autumn.

I have made lots of friends with the staff members here at my complex. I avoid most of the other residents. Some are too negative. Some are not with it enough to hold a real conversation. I do well here, in part, because I have no roommates. I love not having a roomie. My freshman year in college roommate was a character. After that I decided I would never voluntarily share a sleeping quarters with anyone again.

My arthritis is mostly gone after a few months of Tylenol twice a day. My goodness it was an ordeal convincing the doctor to get me on it the first four months I was here. It was like they couldn’t realize just how bad my arthritis was.

I see my family twice a month. My brother calls me once a week or so. I hear from my best friend from college usually once a week. We talk more often now that baseball season is going. We’re both huge Colorado Rockies fans. We went to one of their World Series games back in 2007. Took several months to pay off that weekend. But it was worth every last penny.

Even though I no longer actively invest, I still pay attention to the stock market and the world of investing. I see that SpaceX and Starlink will probably go public by the end of summer. I have the same feelings about those companies that I had about Facebook in 2009 and Nvidia back in 2021. Pity social security’s rules only allow a small amount in savings to still qualify for Medicaid. Such is I suppose.

I think one of the reasons I’m losing weight faster than expected is due to not eating fast food or sugar very often. Mom and Dad usually bring some Chic fil A when they come to visit a couple times a month. Ordered delivery pizza only a few times since I moved here in August 2025.

My two nephews are done with college for the summer. One is going to work for an engineering firm here in the metro. The other is looking for something in a hospital as he eventually wants to become a physician’s assistant.

My parents are enjoying the retired life. They see their grandkids often. They are quite active in their church. Dad usually has some DIY or hobby projects, like ham radio or model trains, going. Mom is busy with her gardening.

So far 2026 has been better than most years the last seven or eight years. It feels good that my living arrangements are finally settled.

Finding Joy in Oklahoma: A New Chapter in Life

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Yesterday was Mother’s Day here in the US. Had a good, long chat with my mom. She’s enjoying retirement and getting to be grandma to my brother’s kids. I don’t talk to her as often as I used to, but our conversations are still good.

Here in Oklahoma, the Thunder are the talk of the entire state. I started following them after moving here in early 2023. It’s fun to have a strong team to follow again. Reminds me of following Nebraska Husker football when I was a teenager back in the 90s.

Lost 20 pounds since April 1. Been eating mostly protein lately, namely eggs and pork for breakfast. Even though a good portion of my freedom is gone, it’s good to have three hot meals a day, easy access to healthcare, and more stability than I have had at any point in my life.

I am now cured of sleep apnea and anemia. First time in several years I haven’t had either one. I am also down to only one blood pressure medication per day. I’m doing well enough mentally that I take only two psychiatric medications per night.

Most of my arthritis has cleared up. I still take Tylenol twice a day, but I think the weight loss has taken some of the stress off my joints. I still have backbone pain from a football injury in high school.

I have found that dealing with mental illness, at least for me, has gotten easier now that I don’t deal with the public anymore. Most of the people I deal with I know pretty well. Overall things are going much better than I could have imagined when I first moved to Oklahoma three years ago.

March 8, 2026, Health Updates

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Updates are due. Another season is starting. Health Updates are in order.

Weight Update
Even though the scale says I haven’t lost or gained weight in the last two months, all of the nurses, doctors, and even my family say I look like I am losing fat. Most of my gut is gone. My facial features have gotten sharper and better defined. My arms are almost skinny. My calves are no longer swollen. The swelling in my crotch is down enough to wear pants again easily.

Endurance
I can stand up regularly. Pivoting is still a chore. I sit up on the side of my bed several times a day because, well, I can now. Putting my bare feet on a cool tile floor feels good.

Blood Pressure Update
My blood pressure is under control enough now that I am now prescribed only one blood pressure medication on an “as needed” basis. I still have my blood pressure checked every morning. But half of the days I don’t need blood pressure medication anymore.

Mental Health Update
Mentally I am fairly stable. One of the doses of my psychiatric meds was cut shortly after I moved here six months ago. Over the course of six months, that original dose has been cut in half. I’m feeling better most days now than I did when I was on the full dose and living with my parents. I take only psych medications now. Nothing for anxiety or sleep. Considering how serious a diagnosis schizophrenia is, taking only two medications and having more good days than bad is pretty phenomenal.

Quality of Life Update
As far as help from the nurses’ aides, I need that only a few times a day now. I still take my meals in my apartment. What is the point of socializing while eating when the residents are either too hard of hearing to understand, too senile to follow a conversation, or always in foul moods. There is no reason for me to put up with irritable people anymore. Been putting up with them for long enough.

My pain is manageable now. I take Tylenol twice a day. My hands no longer hurt anymore; certainly not like they did at Christmas. I was having bad headaches for a couple days last week. They went away as mysteriously as they appeared.

Changes in Physical Appearance and Health
Decided to grow out my hair and beard. Haven’t had a haircut since last July. Trimmed my beard only twice since I moved into my new place. My hair is long enough to cover my ears but not long enough to touch my shoulders. Even with a few gray spots in my beard people tell me I still look at least ten to fifteen years younger than I really am. Some of my family say I look better than I did even ten years ago. Other than the fact I still have pain when I stand up, I feel better than I did back in 2015.

Social Life Health Update
Even though I don’t socialize with residents, I still socialize with the help every day. Made some friends among the aides, the nurses, and volunteers. My complex is in Oklahoma City, so it has an urban feel to it with lots of different people and cultures among the workers and volunteers. One of the items on my “Bucket List” I made in my twenties was to live in an urban area at least once in my life. Another item was to live in the suburbs at least once. I’ve accomplished both in the 37 months I have lived in Oklahoma.

Spring Has Sprung
Feels like spring here in Oklahoma City. I can hear birds singing every morning. We are getting rain again. We had bad thunderstorms in this state a couple days last week. But Oklahoma and bad spring storms go hand in hand.

Six Months in A New Home: Updates and Observations

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Updates, March 2026
We are turning the calendar from February to March. It feels like spring a few weeks early. And things are going alright for me. I have lived in my current home for six months now.

Most of my pain is gone. I have been in my current apartment for six months. Made friends with a significant number of staff members. I often avoid other residents because too many of them are in foul moods most of the time or are too sick to do much of anything with. I’m still following a regimented diet but it isn’t so bad. At least three hot meals a day every day is my new normal.

Physical Therapy is on temporary hold
Decided to take a break from physical therapy around Christmas. I was doing it twice a day five days a week and ended up in severe knee, back, and hand pain. For a couple weeks my hand hurt bad enough I couldn’t even use a fork or knife with my dominant hand. So, I had to give up on therapy, at least for the time being.

Neighborhood Drama
There was a dementia patient living across the hall from me for a few weeks. He yelled and screamed continually whenever he was awake. It was keeping me awake most nights. Finally, I filed a complaint with management. After several days of back and forth, the dementia patient was moved to a different facility. After a few stressful and hectic weeks, things are starting to return to normal in my neighborhood.

New Friends Among the Staff
I have three nurse’s aides I’m really close with. One works mostly weekends, is a couple years older than I am, and has a heart of gold. She’s really nice, likes to listen to my stories, and is very good at her job. She always moves swiftly and with a sense of purpose.

A second nurse’s aide usually worked the night shift so she and I would often talk win the middle of the night when all of her work was caught up and I couldn’t sleep. Haven’t seen her for a few weeks. Last I heard she was transferred to another wing in the facility. A third nurse’s aide usually works the afternoon shift and is really nice to me. She was the one who let me know I could actually get Door Dash delivered to my room here in the complex. She’s fluent in Spanish (I took some Spanish classes in high school) so I get to work on bringing my Spanish back up to snuff with her when she’s between assignments.

Like every home or workplace, there are a few people who rub me wrong. I try to avoid them as much as possible. Some arguments aren’t worth the while. But I get along with probably 90 percent of the staff.

New Glasses
Recently got glasses. Had laser eye surgery back in 2007. I went over 18 years without glasses. I use my new glasses mostly for reading. Made a huge difference. Got me interested in reading and writing again.

I’m Reading Books Again
Started reading the Old Testament again, namely the old King James Version. Picking that back up after several years without my nose in books very often.

Finding Permanence After Several Years of Chaos
After several years of my living arraignments being anything but permanent, I have finally found a for life home here in Oklahoma City. Had to live with my parents for almost two and a half years before I got into a wheelchair accessible home. It was a rough two and a half years.

I love my parents and have made my peace with the past, but their house was not handicap accessible. Even the front door and sidewalk wasn’t wide enough for my wheelchair. But I’m in a much better situation now. My parents still come to visit a couple times a month, for which I am thankful for. Got a visit from an aunt and a cousin from Nebraska I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic shortly before Thanksgiving. It was fun catching up with extended family.

Weight Loss Updates
I’m still losing weight. Not exactly sure how much I have lost but I know I lost at least 100 pounds between Labor Day and Christmas. My goal is to eventually get to my old high school weight. I definitely feel a difference both physically and mentally.

Book Review: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

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Published in 1870, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a pioneering science fiction novel that continues to captivate readers with its blend of adventure, mystery, and visionary technology. Jules Verne, often considered one of the fathers of science fiction, presents a tale that is not only thrilling but also rich in scientific curiosity and philosophical depth.

Plot Overview

The story begins with mysterious reports of a giant sea monster terrorizing ships across the world’s oceans. In response, the U.S. government commissions an expedition to hunt down the creature. The expedition includes three main characters: Professor Pierre Aronnax, a French marine biologist; his loyal servant Conseil; and Ned Land, a rugged Canadian harpooner.

The trio eventually discovers that the “sea monster” is actually a highly advanced submarine called the Nautilus, commanded by the enigmatic Captain Nemo. Taken aboard, the characters embark on an extraordinary journey beneath the sea, visiting undersea forests, the ruins of Atlantis, the South Pole, and battling sea creatures, including the famous encounter with giant squid.

Themes and Analysis

At its core, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea explores the tension between man and nature, the thirst for knowledge, and the consequences of technological power. Captain Nemo himself embodies this conflict. He is both a genius and a tragic figure, turning his back on the surface world for reasons that are slowly revealed. His disdain for terrestrial society and his deep connection to the ocean symbolize both freedom and isolation.

The book also reflects Verne’s fascination with scientific discovery. His detailed descriptions of marine life, submarine technology, and undersea geography were remarkably ahead of their time. While some scientific elements may seem dated today, they were revolutionary in the 19th century.

Characters

  • Captain Nemo is the most compelling figure — mysterious, brilliant, and morally ambiguous. His past remains a secret for much of the novel, adding to his mystique.
  • Professor Aronnax serves as both narrator and a lens through which readers experience the wonders and dangers of the deep.
  • Ned Land provides a counterbalance to Aronnax’s curiosity — representing practicality, freedom, and a desire to return to land.
  • Conseil, loyal and methodical, offers occasional humor and stability in contrast to the more emotional characters.

Impact and Legacy

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea remains one of the most influential works in science fiction. Verne’s vision of underwater exploration predates the invention of real submarines capable of such feats by decades. The novel continues to inspire filmmakers, writers, and even marine engineers.

Beyond its technological foresight, the book resonates because of its philosophical questions — about isolation, the limits of scientific pursuit, and the price of revenge and obsession.

Book Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

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Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, published in 1864, is a pioneering work of science fiction that masterfully blends adventure, science, and imagination. As one of the founding fathers of science fiction, Verne invites readers into a world where the boundaries of scientific possibility are pushed to their limits.

The story follows Professor Otto Lidenbrock, an eccentric and determined German scientist, who discovers a cryptic manuscript. With the help of his reluctant but loyal nephew, Axel, he deciphers the message left by a 16th-century Icelandic alchemist, revealing a secret passage to the center of the Earth. Together with their stoic Icelandic guide, Hans, they embark on a perilous journey into an extinct volcano in Iceland.

What follows is a fantastical adventure through subterranean worlds filled with vast caverns, underground seas, prehistoric creatures, and natural wonders that defy the imagination. Verne’s vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to scientific detail—balanced with artistic license—make the reader feel as though they, too, are descending into the Earth’s depths.

One of the strengths of the novel is the dynamic between the characters. Professor Lidenbrock’s relentless curiosity and Axel’s anxiety create tension, humor, and growth. Hans, quiet and dependable, serves as the stabilizing force in their expedition. Their personalities contrast sharply, highlighting both the courage and folly of human ambition.

From a scientific perspective, the novel reflects the 19th-century understanding of geology and paleontology, which today feels outdated yet charming. Verne was known for grounding his fiction in real science, and while some concepts now seem fantastical, his effort to incorporate contemporary knowledge was revolutionary for his time.

Thematically, Journey to the Center of the Earth explores the human desire to uncover the unknown, the spirit of exploration, and the tension between rationality and imagination. It celebrates curiosity but also warns of the hubris that can accompany it.

For modern readers, the book may feel slower in parts, especially during the heavily detailed descriptions and scientific discussions. However, the sense of wonder and the sheer inventiveness of Verne’s world more than compensate.

In conclusion, Journey to the Center of the Earth is not just an adventure story—it’s a testament to the enduring power of curiosity and imagination. While science has since disproven the possibility of such a journey, the novel remains a captivating exploration of what could be possible beyond the boundaries of our everyday world. For anyone who loves adventure, science fiction, or classic literature, Jules Verne’s work is a timeless treasure.