Proof that, even without the sci-, Jules Verne wrote some pretty fine -fi. Although "Michael Strogoff" comes off, perhaps, a bit dated to the modern reader, it's hard to find much at fault in this bracing tale of Czarist Russia. Without giving anything away, Verne should be lauded for his willingness to weave real tragedy, hardship, and ugliness into his story. This uncompromising ethos adds pungent spice to a story which might have been rendered in far more saccharine flavors. Verne keeps us on the edge of our seats right up until the very end. His pacing is particularly impeccable, an invaluable virtue when it comes to any story of action and adventure. Nor does Verne paint too strident a picture, deftly weaving both comic relief and a romantic sub-plot into this truly compelling, if lesser-know, work. I was skeptical going in, but I would urge fans of Jules Verne to track down this overlooked gem.