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selfwinding 's review for:
The Invisible Man
by H.G. Wells
This is probably my favorite of the Victorian novels I’ve read for this project. It feels a bit more modern in its structure—relating a relatively straightforward story—but retains that Victorian, removed narrator who is always aware of the conceit of the book. For example, Chapter 8 begins, “The eighth chapter is exceedingly brief” (p. 45).
Griffin is also an interesting character who both garners sympathy for his plight and revulsion for his actions. (Also he is at times deeply stupid, which endears him to me.) I particularly enjoyed the slow reveal of his invisibility. One of my favorite moments comes on page 17, “But she saw he had removed his glasses; they were beside him on the table, and it seemed to her that his eye sockets were extraordinarily hollow.” The hints and nods as it builds to that initial reveal are very effective, even if the reader obviously knows what’s coming.
Griffin is also an interesting character who both garners sympathy for his plight and revulsion for his actions. (Also he is at times deeply stupid, which endears him to me.) I particularly enjoyed the slow reveal of his invisibility. One of my favorite moments comes on page 17, “But she saw he had removed his glasses; they were beside him on the table, and it seemed to her that his eye sockets were extraordinarily hollow.” The hints and nods as it builds to that initial reveal are very effective, even if the reader obviously knows what’s coming.