The book's significance throughout human history has led to its preservation in a modern format, ensuring it remains accessible to future generations. It has been meticulously reformatted, retyped, and designed, resulting in clear and readable text, distinguishing it from traditional scanned copies.
Set against the backdrop of the Great War's aftermath, this work offers a lighthearted yet slightly macabre comedic take on the technological advancements of the 20th century. It revisits and updates themes from Robida's earlier writings, introducing innovative concepts such as the telephonoscope, private aircraft, and flying houses, while weaving a narrative that reflects on the historical context and societal changes of the era.
In Electric Life (1892), Albert Robida imagined the life of the future, imbued with all kinds of fantastic devices meant to simplify the lives of their users. The father of science fiction illustration, and the author of The Clock of the Centuries and The Adventures of Saturnin Farandoul, Robida (1848-1926) was the most significant of all of Jules Verne's successors. The novel follows the adventures of the great inventor Philox Lorris, who wants his son to marry a woman whom he does not love, instead of his sweetheart, whom Philox dislikes. This traditional love triangle allows Robida to unleash his sarcastic predictions, extrapolating them to what he thought were absurd extremes; but which today's readers will think tame in comparison with our modern world. Electric Life no longer qualifies as futuristic fiction, or alternative history, but it does qualify as steampunk fantasy -- perhaps the ultimate steampunk fantasy, given that it possesses an innocence that no modern writer, jaded by an excess of historical knowledge, could ever duplicate. ILLUSTRATED WITH 100 ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALBERT ROBIDA.
Exploring imaginative futures, Albert Robida's works feature teenage students in a whimsical 1950 setting reminiscent of Hogwarts, as seen in "A Student in 1950." This boy's adventure captures the spirit of youthful exploration in a pseudo-futuristic school. In his final novel, "Chalet in the Sky," Robida ventures into an even more distant future where humanity has colonized other planets, showcasing a vibrant array of characters living in an aerial villa above a desolate Earth. His storytelling blends humor with speculative themes, establishing him as a key figure in science fiction.
Embark on a thrilling journey with Saturnin Farandoul and his eclectic companions, Mandibul and Tournesol. Their adventures span the globe and beyond, featuring an array of colorful characters including pirates, mummies, cannibals, and even intelligent apes. The narrative promises a blend of humor and excitement, showcasing a series of wild escapades that defy the ordinary. This whimsical tale invites readers to explore fantastical realms filled with unexpected encounters and vibrant personalities.
Albert Robida, a pivotal figure in science fiction, not only authored influential works but also pioneered the art of science fiction illustration. His notable creations include "The Adventures of Saturnin Farandoul" and "The Twentieth Century," where he combined imaginative storytelling with his own illustrations, shaping the genre's visual landscape. Robida's contributions extend beyond writing, marking him as a foundational figure in the evolution of science fiction.