Les Cinq Cents Millions De La Bégum

"Les Cinq Cents Millions De La Bégum" by Jules Verne is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story revolves around Doctor Sarrasin, who learns that he is the unexpected heir to a vast fortune left by the Bégum Gokool, amounting to over five hundred million francs. This newfound wealth sets off a chain of events that explores the life-altering implications of such a fortune on both the doctor and those around him. The opening portion introduces us to Doctor Sarrasin, who is engaged in reading English newspapers in his hotel room in Brighton. His mundane routine is disrupted when Mr. Sharp, an English solicitor, arrives with astonishing news about a substantial inheritance tied to the doctor's lineage. As Mr. Sharp details the complex history involving the Bégum and the doctor's ancestry, Sarrasin grapples with disbelief and intrigue. The scene then shifts to the doctor's son, Octave, who soon becomes embroiled in the excitement of his father's newfound status, setting the stage for themes of family legacy, responsibility, and societal perceptions that will continue to unfold in this captivating narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)