3 JANUARY 1891, Page 30

A Family Without a Name. By Jules Verne. (Sampson Low,

Marston, and Co.)—M. Jules Verne has this time taken for his subject the efforts of the French Canadians to obtain their in- dependence. Jean-sans-nom---a sobriquet he has adopted because his own name has been rendered odious by his father's treason— is an interesting hero ; but there is nothing very attractive about the movement to which he devotes himself. M. Verne writes with his usual spirit and liveliness ; his pictures of Canadian life as it was some fifty years ago are vigorous, and the dialogue is always vivacious and easy ; but somehow his story does not take us as his work commonly does.