The Begum's Fortune

"The Begum's Fortune" by Jules Verne is a thought-provoking novel that combines utopian and dystopian elements. The story follows a French doctor named Dr. Sarrasin and a German professor named Professor Schultze, who unexpectedly inherit a colossal fortune from their ancestor, a French soldier married to an Indian prince's wealthy widow. Intrigued by the idea of creating their own ideal societies, they decide to journey to America. Dr. Sarrasin establishes Ville-France, a city focused on public health, while Professor Schultze builds Stahlstadt, a militaristic and weapon-focused city with a darker agenda of destroying Ville-France. Through diplomatic negotiations, the United States grants sovereignty to these two cities, allowing the wealthy men to shape their utopian visions. Ville-France is located on the Oregon Coast near Bandon, Oregon, while Stahlstadt's exact location is not specified but is believed to be near Roseburg, Oregon. Verne's novel