In this novel, Verne created characters not for their own sake but for the sake of his story. None of them is well rounded, and even the major figures are primarily representatives of human virtues and vices. The main character is a young Alsatian called Marcel Bruckman. It is interesting that Verne the Frenchman, with no obvious love for the Germans, should choose for his protagonist a young man whose roots are in an area that has strong cultural roots in both nations, enabling him to make choices not rooted in nationalism.

Marcel Bruckman, the young Alsatian, combines all the good qualities of his dual parentage. He is intelligent and rational, a good engineer as well as a courageous fighter. He is a little too good to be true, but Verne is using him to make a point.

And the brilliant young technician, who manages to gain the...