# Claudius Bombarnac — The Special Correspondent character guide > Claudius Bombarnac in The Special Correspondent by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Monsieur Bombarnac, Monsieur Claudius Bombarnac, Monsieur Claudius, Claudius **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A French special correspondent for the Twentieth Century, dispatched by telegram to cross Asia by rail and file impressions of everyone and everything he meets. ## Who they are Bombarnac arrives in Tiflis expecting a leisurely tour of the Georgian provinces, only to find orders sending him at once to Uzun Ada and the Grand Transasiatic. His notebook bulges with ethnographic detail, and his professional instinct is to interview the remarkable and report the trivial alike. Curious, tactful, and never above a little mischief, he becomes the reader's eyes aboard the train, befriending stowaways and brokering wedding witnesses with equal ease. ## Relationships ### [Kinko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/kinko) _friendship_ Claudius Bombarnac, the journalist, befriends Kinko and often accompanies him on the journey. ### [Major Noltitz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/major_noltitz) _friendship_ Claudius Bombarnac and Major Noltitz are friendly acquaintances, often discussing the journey. ### [Zinca Klork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/zinca_klork) _social_ Claudius Bombarnac and Zinca Klork are fellow passengers with occasional conversation. ### [Kinko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/kinko) _friendship_ Claudius Bombarnac, the journalist, befriends Kinko and often accompanies him on the journey. ### [Major Noltitz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/major_noltitz) _friendship_ Claudius Bombarnac and Major Noltitz are friendly acquaintances, often discussing the journey. ### [Zinca Klork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/zinca_klork) _social_ Claudius Bombarnac and Zinca Klork are fellow passengers with occasional conversation. ### [Kinko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/kinko) _friendship_ Claudius Bombarnac, the journalist, befriends Kinko and often accompanies him on the journey. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/i) The special correspondent who receives the telegram and begins his journey. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and special correspondent; reflects on his journey and companions. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/iii) The narrator and protagonist, exploring Baku and preparing to board the Astara for the Caspian crossing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and reporter, reflects on impressions, observes passengers, and discovers the mysterious case. ### [Uzun Ada and the Grand Transasiatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/v) The narrator and reporter for the Twentieth Century, he arrives at Uzun Ada, telegraphs his newspaper, and begins cataloging passengers. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and journalist; describes the train, passengers, and landscape, and plans to 'minute' his journey. ### [Kizil Arvat and the Transcaspian Railway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/vii) Narrator and special correspondent; meets Major Noltitz and learns about the railway's history. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/viii) The special correspondent, eager for adventure and discussing the journey's dangers with Major Noltitz. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/ix) The narrator and special correspondent, observing passengers and planning to investigate the mortuary parcel. ### [Merv and the Desert Crossing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/x) Narrator and journalist; explores Merv, sends telegram about Yen Lou, plans to visit the Romanian stowaway. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and reporter; explores Bokhara and engages in political discussions at breakfast. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xii) Narrator and journalist exploring Samarkand, reflecting on its history and marvels. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xiii) The narrator and reporter who orchestrates a secret interview with Kinko. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xiv) Narrator and reporter; visits Tashkent and Khodjend, thinks of Kinko, and dines with fellow travelers. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xv) Narrator; brings provisions to Kinko, observes Faruskiar's strange behavior, and discusses the Pamir with Major Noltitz. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xvi) Narrator; observes Faruskiar's revelation, worries about Kinko, explores Kachgar, and dines with companions. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xvii) The narrator and correspondent, frustrated by the lack of sensational events, receives a telegram correcting his earlier report about the train's cargo. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xviii) Narrator; arranges witnesses for the wedding; visits Kinko at night. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xix) Narrator and observer of the wedding ceremony and events. ### [The Attack in the Gobi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xx) Narrator and participant in the defense, wounded slightly in the shoulder. ### [The Aftermath of the Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxi) Narrates the aftermath, checks on Kinko, and praises Faruskiar. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxii) Narrator; reflects on the attack and looks forward to the marriage and Kinko affair; sends a telegram to his newspaper. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxiii) Narrator and reporter; explores Lan-Tcheou and assists Kinko. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxiv) Narrator and reporter; overhears Faruskiar's plot and helps Kinko avert disaster. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxv) Narrator and reporter; reflects on his mistaken hero-worship of Faruskiar and decides to reveal the truth about Kinko's sacrifice. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxvi) Visits Zinca Klork to break the news of Kinko's death, witnesses Kinko's miraculous reappearance, and attempts to intervene after Kinko's arrest. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxvii) Narrator and special correspondent; leads the effort to free Kinko and recounts the full story of Kinko's heroism. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/claudius_bombarnac - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters