This novel is written a century ago, so I was totally prepared for old-timey weirdness, outdated ideas, and casual racism/any other -ism - as is common in works of the era. BUT this novel was a complete surprise. It's mature and depicts its characters in a constant state of personal development. I counted exactly one casually racist remark, which is pretty amazing considering the plethora of cannon fodder given (native peoples, Germans during WWI etc.).

In essence, this is more like an old-timey adventure story with sea battles, close escapes, and fantasic uncharted lands, with contemplations about the nature of man, its relationship with nature, and the purpose of existence mixed in. I was so pleasantly surprised at it all I may be giving it too much credit, but whatever.
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"You are here but for an instant and you mustn't take yourself too seriously."