Character guide

Axel Liedenbrock

major

Also known as Monsieur Axel, wretched Axel, me, I

A reluctant young narrator torn between his uncle's volcanic ambition and his own terror, Axel records every wonder and dread of the descent into the Earth.

Professor Otto Liedenbrock

major

Also known as Professor Liedenbrock, uncle Liedenbrock, the Professor, Liedenbrock, Otto Liedenbrock, M. Liedenbrock, Herr Liedenbrock, Uncle Liedenbrock

An imperious geologist who treats a runic cipher as a summons, dragging his nephew and a silent Icelander toward a crater he believes leads to the planet's core.

Hans Bjelke

major

Also known as Hans, the Icelander, The Icelander

A taciturn Icelandic guide whose wordless competence and unshakable calm make him the expedition's true anchor beneath the Earth.

Gräuben

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle Gräuben

Axel's gentle, clear-eyed beloved, whose quiet courage and matter-of-fact faith in science push him toward the adventure he dreads.

Arne Saknussemm

supporting

Also known as Saknussemm, this Saknussemm, clever Saknussemm

A sixteenth-century Icelandic alchemist whose coded runes, hidden in an ancient manuscript, map a route no living man has dared to follow.

Martha

minor

Also known as poor Martha

The Liedenbrock household servant who worries about the Professor and Axel during their absence.

M. Fridrikssen

minor

Also known as Fridrikssen, the excellent M. Fridrikssen, Monsieur Fridrikssen

A professor of natural sciences in Reykjavik who assists the explorers with local knowledge.

M. Thomsen

minor

The Danish consul in Reykjavik who provides letters of introduction and hospitality.

Baron Trampe

minor

Also known as M. le Baron Trampe

The governor of Iceland who receives the explorers and offers official assistance.

Captain of the Valkyria

minor

Also known as the captain, The captain

The commander of the Danish schooner that transports the explorers to Iceland.

M. Ruhmkorff

minor

Also known as Ruhmkorff

A German inventor whose electric device is used for illumination during the underground journey.

Scartaris

minor

A mountain peak whose shadow is mentioned in Saknussemm's instructions for timing the descent.