Widely rumored to exist, then circulated in a corrupt form, Jules Verne s final and arguably most daring and hauntingly beautiful novel—his own “invisible man —appears here for the first time in a faithful translation. Readers of English can rediscover the pleasures of Verne s storytelling in its original splendor and enjoy a virtually unknown gem of action, adventure, and style from a master of French literature.Wilhelm Storitz, the son of a famous Prussian scientist (and possessor of his father s secrets—even, perhaps, a formula that confers invisibility), vows revenge on the family that has denied him the love of his life, Myra Roderich. Wilhelm s actions on the eve of Myra s wedding unfold in a surprising and sinister way, leading to an ending that will astonish the reader.� � Like many works left unpublished when Jules Verne died, The Secret of Wilhelm Storitz was prepared and edited by his son, Michel. After a century of obscurity, this unique work in Verne s oeuvre is finally in the hands of readers, in a fine, authentic translation. (20110321)