Review: LEGO 40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books GWP
6
LEGO continues its range of historical tribute sets with 40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books, which honours the French novelist that’s widely considered the father of science fiction and one of the most influential writers of all time.
It’s the latest LEGO gift with purchase (GWP) and will be available from 21 – 30 June 2024 when you spend US$150 / AU$240 / £135 / €150 on LEGO.com. Be sure to be logged into your LEGO Insiders account (free to join!) to qualify for it!
This charming little display model pays homage to some of Jules Verne’s best-known works; Around the World in Eighty Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Five Weeks in a Balloon, and also includes a Jules Verne minifigure as well.
Let’s check this set out in this quick review!
See below for regional information and the most up-to-date details all ongoing LEGO promotions and offers.
- LEGO Offers and Promotions [US]
- LEGO Offers and Promotions [AUS]
- LEGO Offers and Promotions [UK]
- LEGO Offers and Promotions [EU]
- LEGO Offers and Promotions [CA]
Special thanks to LEGO for sending this set over for review
40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books Set Details
40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books
40690
Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books
1
351
US$150 / AU$240 / £135 / €150
21 – 30 June 2024
21-30 June 2024
TBD
One small sticker is included, which has Jules Verne’s name for his tile. Slightly disappointing that this isn’t a printed tile, but that’s pretty typical for small promotional sets like this. There are some nice graphical details which include a dotted journey line, ocean topographical lines, as well as a compass rose on it, and Jules Verne’s name in handwritten script.
The manual is also disappointing as there’s no informational section, which I think is a wasted educational opportunity. Many people might not be aware of Jules Verne’s books or influence on the literary world, so having even one page list down the books that influence the build is a surprising omission by LEGO.
Here’s a look at the LEGO Jules Verne minifigure. Again, very cool to get a historical figure turned into LEGO. He comes with an envelope tile and a black candle flame, which doubles as an quill.
If his face looks familiar, that’s because LEGO have reused old Obi-Wan Kenobi’s face, but you might also recognise him as Gustave Eiffel (from the Gustave Eiffel’s Apartment GWP), just with a different haircut. I guess since LEGO is depicting an old historical French gentlemen… the resemblance is meant to be uncanny?
It just feels lazy on LEGO’s part to not give us a new print to honour Jules Verne, but again, unsurprising for a small set like this which might not be allocated sufficient budget to warrant a new minifigure head.
Oh the torso is also repurposed from the Goblin Banker from the Gringotts Vault GWP and 76417 Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Here is the completed set which is just a brilliantly designed little diorama. There are 4 numbered bags and its made of 351-pieces, so it isn’t the biggest, but the designer has made great use of all the elements to create a visually eye-catching model that erupts from an open book.
I was not expecting an overly interesting build, but I was pleasantly surprised by the techniques employed to create the open book, with the A-piece being cleverly disguised as part of the train bridge columns to hold it up at an angle.
Very cool design and this is some seriously clever LEGO design, which you don’t normally encounter for sets at this price range. Look at how the curvature of the pages on the inner spine.
There’s a small area for the Jules Verne minifigure to occupy.
There are 3 microscale models included in the set which pay tribute to Around the World in Eighty Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Five Weeks in a Balloon.
First we have arguably his most important and well-known book, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, with the Nautilus submarine. The design is fantastic, with great use of complementary steampunk colours for this half-submerged craft, piloted by Captain Nemo.
This would make for a seriously cool LEGO Icons set, so hopefully LEGO revisits it at a grander scale.
Next, we have a train from Around the World in Eighty Days. I don’t think the train references a specific locomotive, but a steam train is often pictured on the cover of the book. Phileas Fogg of course hops on many trains to complete his journey.
The build is quite basic, but the bridge looks superb, and I love that its suspended so high up, and how the A-piece is disguised so cleverly into the pillars.
And serving as a backdrop, is a light blue sky with clouds, and a microscale hot air balloon, paying homage to Five Weeks in a Balloon. I actually haven’t read this book so am not too familiar with it.
It’s a little confusing adding a balloon as a hot air balloon is commonly attributed to Around the World in Eighty Days because of the numerous films, where a Hot Air Balloon is featured, but fun fact, it’s never once included in the novel!
And here’s a look at the stickered tile with his name.
What I liked:
- Wonderfully interesting build techniques
- Fun microscale models
- Looks incredible as a display model
What I didn’t like:
- Recycled minifig heads for Jules Verne
- No information in the instructions on Jules Verne
Final Thoughts:
Out of all the historical LEGO Tribute GWPs, 40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Book is right up there, and is quite possibly one of the finest LEGO GWPs that LEGO have ever made.
It has everything you could want in a promotional LEGO set, with an engaging build filled with ingenious techniques, a cool minifigure, and a visually interesting model to display with.
Underpinning all of that is the historical tribute to the father of science fiction, and you have a really cool LEGO gift with purchase.
There are small nitpicks, such as the recycled minifigure face belonging to Obi-Wan. I thought having him share the same face as Gustave Eiffel is also a bit too on the nose, but I guess LEGO only has no many options to depict 19th century Frenchmen.
The biggest missed opportunity would be the lack of information of Jules Verne and his books in the manual which is a shame as it could’ve been such a great vehicle to educate people on his literary works and influence.
The GWP purchase threshold isn’t too outrageous at US$150 / AU$240 / €150, which I think is quite fair for a model this good. There are plenty of new June releases to take advantage of this, so hopefully you won’t have to strain too hard to get the set.
As a Historical Tribute set, it’s a nice addition to accompany sets like 40410 Charles Dickens Tribute, 40450 Amelia Earhart Tribute, 40530 Jane Goodall Tribute, 40579 Eiffel’s Apartment, and last year’s 40595 Tribute to Galileo Galilei.
Designwise, this is the best one yet from LEGO as the micro models from Jules Verne’s books translate so well to LEGO, and they look so cool bursting out the pages of the book.
Final Score
Audience rating
40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books will be available from 21 – 30 June 2024 when you spend US$150 / AU$240 / €150 on LEGO.com. LEGO Insiders account get early access from 21-23 June.
If you plan on purchasing 40690 Tribute to Jules Verne’s Books please consider using the affiliate links found in the post to support the blog, as I may receive a small commission with each purchase.
To get the latest LEGO news and LEGO Reviews straight in your inbox, subscribe via email, or you can also follow on Google News, or socials on Facebook, Instagram (@jayong28), Bluesky or subscribe to the Jay’s Brick Blog Youtube channel.
