Lidenbrock picks it up and spreads it on the table in wonderment. Before they can talk more about the runes, a filthy piece of paper falls from the book onto the floor. Finally, Lidenbrock says that he is examining the Heimskringla by Snorre Turlseon, a 12th-century Icelandic author who chronicled the Norwegian princes who ruled over Iceland.Īxel asks a few questions, and his uncle snottily tells him that he is looking at a runic manuscript Axel’s pride is a little hurt due to his uncle’s manner. He simply watches and listens while his uncle exults over this text. That day, though, when Axel enters he sees his uncle perusing a book in excitement and delight. Lidenbrock’s study is practically a museum the rocks and stones and gems have always fascinated Axel. Axel admires his frenetic and intelligent uncle, and himself pursues the study of geological science. He is not poor, and houses both his orphan nephew and Grauben, a girl from Virland. Lidenbrock's little home overlooking the canals leans a bit but holds up well. He has big eyes, a sharp nose, and imposing glasses. He is tall, thin, blonde, and possessing of “an iron constitution” (5).

Although Lidenbrock does have a small speech impediment that people tend to mock, his name is much honored in the intellectual community. He is brilliant, of course, but pursues his studies for himself and not for others. Lidenbrock rushes home, disconcerting Martha the cook, who is not ready with dinner yet.Īxel explains that his uncle is eccentric and egoistic, a mineralogist scholar and polyglot. Axel is at the Hamburg house he shares with his uncle, Professor Lidenbrock.

Jules verne center of the earth