You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
This was a fun read! The psychopathic nature of Griffin, the invisible man, was quite interesting to see unfold. I liked how it began, how it ended, and everything in between. Solid book!
There is nothing I love more than a story about a descent into madness, actually.
However, he didn't DESCEND into madness. He started the book already mad. My favorite part is the descent! I feel cheated. Where is the psychological anguish? The turning point? The desperation?
However, he didn't DESCEND into madness. He started the book already mad. My favorite part is the descent! I feel cheated. Where is the psychological anguish? The turning point? The desperation?
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's shit, but i like it idc
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maybe interesting for its time, but this was garbage. Focused entirely on the physical and literal instead of the human story. Could’ve said a lot about isolation and loneliness but instead spent the majority of the book describing the way a chair would appear to float in the air or how footprints were being tracked due to mud on a clean floor.
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have no doubt in my mind that with The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells created a great premise to examine the story's central conceit; that our humanity unravels if we're not perceived.
The story starts so well. We effectively see the Invisible Man through a pub landlady's eyes. There are hints at an uncanniness and altered state – growling dogs, sudden appearances, but it’s not confirmed until a dramatic anger-induced reveal. Here, the careful pacing gave way to a frenzied sequence of events that I expect was to mirror the Invisible Man’s state of mind, but I felt resulted in a narrative that lurched rather than flowed.
The story starts so well. We effectively see the Invisible Man through a pub landlady's eyes. There are hints at an uncanniness and altered state – growling dogs, sudden appearances, but it’s not confirmed until a dramatic anger-induced reveal. Here, the careful pacing gave way to a frenzied sequence of events that I expect was to mirror the Invisible Man’s state of mind, but I felt resulted in a narrative that lurched rather than flowed.
There were elements that I enjoyed – Marvel’s unwilling cooperation, fearful escape and eventual machinations was a lovely arc for a side character in the short novel. The other characters offered fewer hooks to hang off. And the central character is unlikeable with on-page bigotry. I’m reading this in 2025 and some of the language was difficult.
But despite the themes, this isn’t really a character study. It’s a plot-driven story that races toward its inevitable climax. I’m glad that to have read this book at last and the idea is reason enough for this to be a classic, but the execution didn’t grab me as much as I’d hoped.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes