The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (Epub)

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Ebook Info

  • Published: 2020
  • Number of pages: 156 pages
  • Format: Epub
  • File Size: 0.17 MB
  • Authors: H. G. Wells

Description

The War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel by English author H. G. Wells. It first appeared in serialized form in 1897, published simultaneously in Pearson’s Magazine in the UK and Cosmopolitan magazine in the US. The first appearance in book form was published by William Heinemann of London in 1898.

It is the first-person narrative of an unnamed protagonist in Surrey and that of his younger brother in London as Earth is invaded by Martians. Written between 1895 and 1897, it is one of the earliest stories that detail a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race. The novel is one of the most commented-on works in the science fiction canon. The War of the Worlds has two parts, Book One: The Coming of the Martians and Book Two: The Earth under the Martians.

The narrator, a philosophically inclined author, struggles to return to his wife while seeing the Martians lay waste to the southern country outside London. Book One also imparts the experience of his brother, also unnamed, who describes events as they deteriorate in the capital, forcing him to escape the Martian onslaught by boarding a paddle steamer near Tilling ham, on the Essex coast.

User’s Reviews

Review “Since H. G. Wells published War of the Worlds in 1898, artists have struggled to depict his alien invaders. Perhaps none succeeded so well as the illustrator Edward Gorey…His wonderfully creepy 1960 edition eschews the Robby the Robot designs of pulp fiction, and the slickness of the bad 1953 film, instead delivering an insectlike infestation of pen-and-ink tendrils.” New York Magazine”The most delightful of the many editions of The War of the Worlds includes illustrations by Edward Gorey (originally published in 1960 and long out of print until now), in which those creatures look like giant mushrooms on spindly legs, primitive ancestors of the Spielberg tripods.” Caryn James, The New York Times”These illustrations perfectly depict not only Wells s half-sinister, half-ridiculous Martians, but also the destruction they leave in their wake: ‘a patch of silent common, smouldering in places, and with a few dark, dimly seen objects lying in contorted attitudes here and there’, for example. How Gorey-esque.” Joshua Glenn, The Boston Globe”This novel was tailor-made for Gorey. His black-and-white etching-like drawing style makes the aliens (dainty but oppressive-looking hydras), landscapes and figures suitably spooky and Victorian. Which, of course, they were.” Karen Krangle, The Vancouver Sun”It was creepy when he wrote it back in 1898, and it s creepy now. Re-released in a handsome new edition, The War of the Worlds, illustrated by the remarkable Edward Gorey, preys on our fears.” Marc Horton, Edmonton Journal”[War of the Worlds is] a perfect showcase for Gorey s stark, unsettling work with its ominous shadings and eerie peculiarities…[and] Gorey s work is true to the essence of Wells novel.” The Chicago Tribune”Edward Gorey s wonderful 1960 pen-and-ink illustrations can be seen again in the elegant…hardcover edition from New York Review Books.” The Los Angeles Times –jjj

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ I feel a little mixed about this novel and I certainly thought I would like it more than I did. Definitely the influential aspects of this novel are irrefutable and unquestionable, from the alien invasion scenario and its commentary. We see aspects of this novel produced to this day in films and books. I think for me it was a case of the actual premise of the novel being more interesting and fascinating than the novel itself. The biggest problem I had with The War of the Worlds is that it is too oversaturated with superfluous details that weigh and bog it down a bit. Not to say that there aren’t spots of genuine intrigue and wonder, but to me, we are hit with way too much and too often, especially in the first half with the panic and chaos and some of the scenes in London and the surrounding areas when the Martians attack. It does get a little repetitive at points and too technical, and this made it a little more of a chore to finish, although I did like aspects on the 2nd half of the novel. I’ve read a couple other ones from Wells that I liked better, “The Invisible Man” and “The Time Machine.” Still, I’m glad to have read this classic, as I’ve been wanting to read it for some time.

⭐ As usual, the original is always better. This could make a great movie, as is. For the generally informed mind, this and other HGW books are informative as to that time period of science and flight. He always referrs to the science and technology of that day, (1890s), and this is where ones own knowledge is broadened. Although, I’ll grant you that the average person is ignorant of past technology. So sad , and like the people of this story. This really would make a great movie, as is.

⭐ Saw the older movie as a youngster and was scared, but this book provides a great inside view of a man’s thoughts as he rapidly transitions from a comfortable, tranquil and idyllic life into a struggle for survival, fearing for life itself let alone food and water, where concealment and hiding are the key’s to one more day of life. I love this passage:”…a sense of dethronement, a persuasion that I was no longer the master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel. With us it be as with them, to lurk and watch, to run and hide; the fear and empire of man had passed away.”

⭐ This book is over 115 years old and yet the technology and the invasion by an alien race is almost prophetic in its very nature. It is a wonderfully written story told by one of the masters of Sci-Fi whose visions of the future were amazing.The story of the invasion is eerily realistic and describes how an invading race of aliens who cannot tolerate our atmosphere and gravity use advanced technology to crawl out of there craters they have created and take on the military might of England.I don’t want to spoil this very good story but I recommend to you that you read it for yourself and enjoy it. The book is worth reading and it is entertaining. One of the messages I got was that mankind, who thought themselves to be superior to all of the earth’s creatures were at the total mercy of the alien invading force. The aliens were indeed brought down to defeat by the lowliest life forms on earth.A great story, even 115 years later.

⭐ Not only letters are extremely small but formats are so messed up. New chapters starting in the middle of page, new lines starting in middle, etc. I wonder this book is pirate version? It is simply hard to read!

⭐ Truly a great example of the early days of science fiction. The antique language is a little cumbersome in places, but the app makes it easy to look up unfamiliar words.

⭐ I had never started reading Wells’ work until recently and now I feel like I have cheated myself out of a lot of great reading. I guess it is time to catch up on what I have been missing!The only issue I had with this book is the incessant road maps we are given to describe where the main character went and where he planned on going. I did not feel that a lot of this was necessary. But the imagery Wells creates and the unexpected turns he gives us made up for any of those issues. This is such a well-written book that I could scarcely put it down!

⭐ This is a good old fashioned yarn. I read the book through in one or two sittings. HG created a sense of menace and despair through the book, which I loved. His descriptions were evocative of the times, and I could almost visualize the destruction taking place, as the book weaved along.The writing is, for our times, old fashioned, yet timeless. The almost forgotten craft of writing is something that was displayed through the book. I lost the part where the Martians were ‘destroyed’. It would have been really nice to have had a nice description of this, but you can’t have everything in life!If you want a good book to read by the fireside, then this is one I can recommend.

⭐ This has got to be one of H.G.Wells’ best efforts. You can feel the fear, anger and frustration of the characters. Well done, a must read.

⭐ The War of the Worlds is a classic science fiction book, and the inspiration for multiple movie versions. The original 1897 book by HG Wells is public domain, so free versions are available for your e-reader. It is very well written.

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