Planet publishes the first novel by Jules Verne

This week, Planeta Publishing will release 'A Priest in 1835', the first novel written by Jules Verne (Nantes, 1828 - Amiens, 1905) and previously unpublished in Spanish. It will be published alongside 'Jules Verne. An Extraordinary Journey', an illustrated biography of the great French writer, released on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the death of the author of 'Five Weeks in a Balloon' and 'Journey to the Center of the Earth', which will be commemorated in 2025.

'A Priest in 1835' is the first novel written by Verne when the French author was only 18 years old. Published in French in 1992, it develops a Gothic plot involving several sinister characters with dark pasts. A terrible accident that occurred in the Church of Saint Nicholas, in Verne's hometown, is the starting point of the story.

According to its editors, this early fiction provides "a unique view of the beginning of Verne’s literary career." It reveals "his first narrative explorations and his emerging talent," in a way that "complements and enriches the writer’s legacy," the publishing house notes.

The illustrated biography written by Cuban Ariel Pérez Rodríguez (Santa, 1976), a leading authority on the French literate, is a large-format book published in a special collector's case. It offers a detailed view of the life of the universally celebrated French storyteller, from his family environment in Nantes to his impact on global literature and culture, as well as analyzing his historical context, personal influences, and his interest in the scientific and technological advancements that he incorporated into his works.

It analyzes his collaboration with publisher Hetzel, and his ventures into poetry, theater, or art criticism. It also addresses less known aspects, such as Verne's favorite readings and personal travels, highlighting his legacy as a visionary beyond science fiction.