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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Wow. I knew this, but I didn't KNOW this, until I re-read his 1898 novel, [b:The War of the Worlds|8909|The War of the Worlds|H.G. Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320391644s/8909.jpg|3194841]: [a:H.G. Wells|880695|H.G. Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1515507862p2/880695.jpg] was eerily and impressively ahead of his time.
I'll admit, [b:The War of the Worlds|8909|The War of the Worlds|H.G. Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320391644s/8909.jpg|3194841] was hardly an easy read. The dispassionate and overly formal style of writing/reporting constantly dragged me back to a long ago time and place almost as foreign as Mars itself. His "speculative philosophy", as he put it, interweaving themes of colonialism and the subjugation of humankind as a whole, was evidently political in its foundation. But it was fascinating to recognize he also set the stage for 20th century speculative and science fiction. As a sci-fi junkie, I am grateful for his ingenious contribution to this genre.
Especially remarkable were artilleryman's imaginings, which are remarkably familiar to any reader of 20th century speculative or science fiction. The artilleryman posits a Martian-controlled future, where humans survive underground (figuratively and literally) and carve out a rebellious life. He envisions humanity playing the part of an inferior or even insignificant race to the alien overlords, until such time we can develop the perfect opportunity to overthrow them. Fast forward A CENTURY, and we've got Skynet's Terminators bearing down on us.
So often I find myself searching for this week's (this minute's?) next great read, but what I need to be doing is seeking out more of the classics to add to my reading list. Each novel surprises and enlightens me in ways I never expected, and enriches my appreciation of those contemporary works I voraciously consume.
I'll admit, [b:The War of the Worlds|8909|The War of the Worlds|H.G. Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320391644s/8909.jpg|3194841] was hardly an easy read. The dispassionate and overly formal style of writing/reporting constantly dragged me back to a long ago time and place almost as foreign as Mars itself. His "speculative philosophy", as he put it, interweaving themes of colonialism and the subjugation of humankind as a whole, was evidently political in its foundation. But it was fascinating to recognize he also set the stage for 20th century speculative and science fiction. As a sci-fi junkie, I am grateful for his ingenious contribution to this genre.
Especially remarkable were artilleryman's imaginings, which are remarkably familiar to any reader of 20th century speculative or science fiction. The artilleryman posits a Martian-controlled future, where humans survive underground (figuratively and literally) and carve out a rebellious life. He envisions humanity playing the part of an inferior or even insignificant race to the alien overlords, until such time we can develop the perfect opportunity to overthrow them. Fast forward A CENTURY, and we've got Skynet's Terminators bearing down on us.
So often I find myself searching for this week's (this minute's?) next great read, but what I need to be doing is seeking out more of the classics to add to my reading list. Each novel surprises and enlightens me in ways I never expected, and enriches my appreciation of those contemporary works I voraciously consume.
I can see where way back when this book was super scary and exciting. However, while conceptually rich, in today's terms it fell kind flat. It spent more time hinting at action and destruction rather than portraying much in the way of action scenes.
I do have to give credit where it is due that this story laid some serious ground work in terms of science fiction. H.G. Wells was definitely ahead of his time. In fact, this story reads much more as if it could have been published much later than 1898.
I do have to give credit where it is due that this story laid some serious ground work in terms of science fiction. H.G. Wells was definitely ahead of his time. In fact, this story reads much more as if it could have been published much later than 1898.
*Spoilers*
The story was really interesting, as were the characters. The book was a little boring towards the end and just seemed to end a little abruptly, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked some of the characters, and was on the edge of my seat at times. I wish the movie from the early 2000s was more like the book. I didn't like the end when he kind of just happened across his wife and barely talked about her. The main character was so worried about her, then when he found her it didn't feel like a super emotional reunion, though she did almost faint into his arms.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it. I do wish the story was a bit longer though towards the end.
The story was really interesting, as were the characters. The book was a little boring towards the end and just seemed to end a little abruptly, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked some of the characters, and was on the edge of my seat at times. I wish the movie from the early 2000s was more like the book. I didn't like the end when he kind of just happened across his wife and barely talked about her. The main character was so worried about her, then when he found her it didn't feel like a super emotional reunion, though she did almost faint into his arms.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it. I do wish the story was a bit longer though towards the end.
There are sparks of fascinating sociological effects of the event but overall a rather bland, solitary experience.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
More of a 4.5, only because it did lose me slightly in the middle, but a solid sci fi read, both for beginners and those well versed. The execution of the pov narrative Wells took in writing this book was well done and I felt the ending was well executed. A solid, if not slightly haunting, read that holds up well throughout the generations...
Most of us know how this ends, and while I did, I still found it a good read. You really follow the narrator in his struggle to understand and survive.
Le narrateur (dont on ne saura presque rien) nous raconte de manière factuelle, comme un article de presse, l’invasion de la Terre par les Martiens. Ça rend le récit parfois un peu long, notamment lors des description anatomiques très détaillées des Martiens. Mais l’histoire est vraiment prenante, on veut quand même savoir comment ça va se terminer tout ce bazar. La morale de l’histoire, à ce que j’ai compris et s’il y en a une, c’est que toute bestiole aussi puissante et grosse qu’elle est ou se croie être trouve toujours plus fort qu’elle et pas forcement sous la forme la plus évidente.
Et tout ça pour un roman de science fiction publié en 1898 c’est quand même plutôt génial.
Et tout ça pour un roman de science fiction publié en 1898 c’est quand même plutôt génial.