Science fiction owes a huge debt to H.G. Wells. His “scientific romances” explored conceits that writers are still fascinated with. SF fans worth their salt, then, will make it a point to read the major works of the Father of Science Fiction. In that spirit I picked up The Invisible Man.

A stranger takes up lodging in a rustic inn. His eccentric behavior is remarked upon, demanding complete privacy and going about in concealing attire. Inexplicable mischief arrives with him and, when word gets out that he’s invisible, the townsfolk are quick to give chase.

It is a simple story, perhaps the simplest among Wells’ novels. Though written before War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man benefits from a sharp style, less verbose and more descriptive without being tiresome. The protagonist himself is complex, tragic by one light, egotistical and deluded by another.

The real tragedy is that it’s just not an interesting story. There’s never any sense that something important is at stake. The plot progresses at a crawl, so much so that, by the time anything of real consequence happens, nearly half the book is finished. Add to that a monologue—of backstory, no less—that takes up a good third of the text and you have the makings of a rather lackluster yarn.

Sci-fi fans owe it to themselves to read it, even if the experience won’t be as rewarding as you might hope. Everyone else can pass.

Grade: C