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A review by crimket
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.75
That Wells, afflicted with tuberculosis, would be interested in ways to see through the human body and transcend its limitations... well it just makes sense, right?
The novella he produced with those thoughts in mind is really fun! I don't see much beyond that, frankly, though I do understand why the character type that Griffin has spawned so much in the way of reboots and adaptation. The snarky, angry, mad scientist persona is really compelling, and I think the biggest strength of this work is this character work and the portions of the text that explore his psyche. As a character study, this work is really strong. It definitely falters a bit plotting wise as the slapstick chase and fight scenes that are comic at the beginning turn boring and repetitive by the end. I think this narrative would have been better served with some conclusion that had more to do with what makes this science fiction.
Or it should have leaned heavier into being horror, because a lot of what is effective plot wise makes this a horror novella. In particular, the beginning part of him at the inn as a very peculiar guest. And that moment where the Mrs. Hall sees his face and imagines it as a gaping maw is really strong too.
Overall, I liked it, though I wish parts of it were a bit different. I'm interested in reading some of the other works written by Wells.
The novella he produced with those thoughts in mind is really fun! I don't see much beyond that, frankly, though I do understand why the character type that Griffin has spawned so much in the way of reboots and adaptation. The snarky, angry, mad scientist persona is really compelling, and I think the biggest strength of this work is this character work and the portions of the text that explore his psyche. As a character study, this work is really strong. It definitely falters a bit plotting wise as the slapstick chase and fight scenes that are comic at the beginning turn boring and repetitive by the end. I think this narrative would have been better served with some conclusion that had more to do with what makes this science fiction.
Or it should have leaned heavier into being horror, because a lot of what is effective plot wise makes this a horror novella. In particular, the beginning part of him at the inn as a very peculiar guest. And that moment where the Mrs. Hall sees his face and imagines it as a gaping maw is really strong too.
Overall, I liked it, though I wish parts of it were a bit different. I'm interested in reading some of the other works written by Wells.