Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
2nd book of 2020.
"This isn't a war,' said the artilleryman. 'It never was a war, any more than there's war between men and ants."
I wrote an essay in university on H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, which I loved. I've been meaning to read The War of the Worlds since, and now I finally have. I'm glad it was as good as the former. Considering Wells wrote this two years before the beginning of the 20th century, the book, the descriptions, the very concept, is incredible. The imagination the man must have had. I've never seen the famous film adaption with Tom Cruise, but I've seen many posters and clips and whatnot. Having read the book now, I have even less desire to watch it, actually.
This book is entertaining, short and oddly thought-provoking. Written before the horrors of the First World War, Wells talks about humans never seeing such destruction ('Never before in the history of the world had such a mass of human beings moved and suffered together'). It's like a precursor to apocalyptic stories. I've seen people call it the precursor to steampunk too. All in all, a great read.
'It seems to me now almost incredibly wonderful with that swift fate hanging over us, men could go about their petty concerns as they did.'
"What are these Martians?'
'What are we?' I answered, clearing my throat.'
"This isn't a war,' said the artilleryman. 'It never was a war, any more than there's war between men and ants."
I wrote an essay in university on H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, which I loved. I've been meaning to read The War of the Worlds since, and now I finally have. I'm glad it was as good as the former. Considering Wells wrote this two years before the beginning of the 20th century, the book, the descriptions, the very concept, is incredible. The imagination the man must have had. I've never seen the famous film adaption with Tom Cruise, but I've seen many posters and clips and whatnot. Having read the book now, I have even less desire to watch it, actually.
This book is entertaining, short and oddly thought-provoking. Written before the horrors of the First World War, Wells talks about humans never seeing such destruction ('Never before in the history of the world had such a mass of human beings moved and suffered together'). It's like a precursor to apocalyptic stories. I've seen people call it the precursor to steampunk too. All in all, a great read.
'It seems to me now almost incredibly wonderful with that swift fate hanging over us, men could go about their petty concerns as they did.'
"What are these Martians?'
'What are we?' I answered, clearing my throat.'
Spoiler Warning:
Wells' classic is, much like the earlier Time Machine, a treatise on human nature and the path of social development disguised as a science fiction romp through a burned and tortured southern England. A first person perspective allows Wells to ruminate on the fragility of the great experiment we call Society, and how through even overwhelming conditions, the human spirit stands tall.
The un-named protagonist might as well be a self insert character for Wells, as they are both writers of speculative fiction, and his own misgivings about our uncertain future are brought to the fore. Our unease at the silence from beyond the terrestrial plane, humanity's seemingly apathetic approach to advancement in lieu of complacency, and the debilitating effects of despair on the spirit are all personified with characters we meet on the road to find the main character's wife. While at times stagnating through environmental descriptions that frankly are indecipherable to one not familiar with the area surrounding London, the pace is quick enough and the writing smooth enough to draw the reader in body and soul.
Be aware: by far the greatest weakness of this novel is the ending; the grand ideas explored earlier have little to no bearing on the actual resolution of the story. Do not let this deter you; this is a journey you take for the journey's sake. Wells was a master of combining rousing action and social and scientific commentary, and this is no exception. 3.5/5
Wells' classic is, much like the earlier Time Machine, a treatise on human nature and the path of social development disguised as a science fiction romp through a burned and tortured southern England. A first person perspective allows Wells to ruminate on the fragility of the great experiment we call Society, and how through even overwhelming conditions, the human spirit stands tall.
The un-named protagonist might as well be a self insert character for Wells, as they are both writers of speculative fiction, and his own misgivings about our uncertain future are brought to the fore. Our unease at the silence from beyond the terrestrial plane, humanity's seemingly apathetic approach to advancement in lieu of complacency, and the debilitating effects of despair on the spirit are all personified with characters we meet on the road to find the main character's wife. While at times stagnating through environmental descriptions that frankly are indecipherable to one not familiar with the area surrounding London, the pace is quick enough and the writing smooth enough to draw the reader in body and soul.
Be aware: by far the greatest weakness of this novel is the ending; the grand ideas explored earlier have little to no bearing on the actual resolution of the story. Do not let this deter you; this is a journey you take for the journey's sake. Wells was a master of combining rousing action and social and scientific commentary, and this is no exception. 3.5/5
H.G. Wells' science fiction classic "The War of the Worlds" actually holds up fairly well, despite all of the years that have passed since he wrote it. (Mostly in the fiction department -- the science not as much, but it's still all tolerable.)
Our narrator is on the front lines when the Martian invasion of Earth begins and gives a first-hand account of humanity's struggle.
It's an enjoyable and quick read.
Our narrator is on the front lines when the Martian invasion of Earth begins and gives a first-hand account of humanity's struggle.
It's an enjoyable and quick read.
Yazıldığı tarihi düşünelim. 1898. Dünya daha önce milyonların öldüğü global bir savaş görmemiş, büyük ölçekli tahribat yaratacak askeri aletler icat edilmemiş, hatta daha savaş uçakları dahi yaratılmamış. Öyle bir devirden bahsediyoruz ki araba denildiğinde akla ilk gelen motorlu araç değil atlı araba. Bu kadar yabancı olan bu devirde yaşayan Wells'in kaleme aldığı ve olası bir Marslı istilasında olacak şeyleri kurguladığı bu kitap kendi başına bir deneyim. Her ne kadar yabancı bir zamanda geçiyor olsa da insani duyguların değişmezliği aynı zamanda o devrin o kadar da yabancı olmadığını hissettiriyor. Yazarın zaman zaman eleştirdiği bazı konuların onyıllar geçse de hala günümüzde de var olduğunu görüyoruz. Ha Marslı istilası ha pandemik. İnsan paniği, dehşeti değişmiyor.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book basically created the alien invasion genre. Well-written and it subtly explores a lot of different human issues in a book about aliens. This was the first book by Wells that I have read and I think I’ll check out more of his work
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In my best Chandler (from the TV Show Friends) voice..."Could this book be more boring?"
Ok, ok, that may not be totally fair. After finishing this story, the second by Wells that I have read, I've decided that HG Wells just isn't for me. While I'm sure this story was a game-changer when it was written, I ended up skimming the entire second half of this book. Next to no dialogue, and it just took too long to get to the point. I think the story idea was really good, I just didn't like the execution. I was underwhelmed with The Island of Dr. Moreau as well, so I'm pretty sure its a 'me' problem. Wells just isn't my type.
Ok, ok, that may not be totally fair. After finishing this story, the second by Wells that I have read, I've decided that HG Wells just isn't for me. While I'm sure this story was a game-changer when it was written, I ended up skimming the entire second half of this book. Next to no dialogue, and it just took too long to get to the point. I think the story idea was really good, I just didn't like the execution. I was underwhelmed with The Island of Dr. Moreau as well, so I'm pretty sure its a 'me' problem. Wells just isn't my type.
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No