Tracy read and liked Lori's review of The Invisible Man (Paperback):

"A light and enjoyable read with moments of subtle humor and an interesting discussion of the potential science of invisibility. There is not a lot of complexity to the character of the invisible man, Griffin, a power-greedy scientist who discovers th...more A light and enjoyable read with moments of subtle humor and an interesting discussion of the potential science of invisibility. There is not a lot of complexity to the character of the invisible man, Griffin, a power-greedy scientist who discovers the secret of invisibility and then goes on a ‘reign of terror.’ I wanted to feel sorry for Griffin and kept waiting for the back story that would explain his rage and selfishness, but it never materialized. Still, the narrative is old school and comforting, like listening to recordings of 1930’s radio dramas.(less) "

Tracy read and liked Ralph's review of The Invisible Man (Paperback):

""It's fascinating to think that all around us there's an invisible world we can't even see. I'm speaking, of course, of the World of the invisible Scary Skeletons." ~Jack Handy

This is a classic book that I have actually looked ...more "It's fascinating to think that all around us there's an invisible world we can't even see. I'm speaking, of course, of the World of the invisible Scary Skeletons." ~Jack Handy

This is a classic book that I have actually looked forward to reading. Who doesn't want to read about an invisible man? If I was able to choose a "super power", invisibility would definitely be one of my top three choices. The problem is I didn't find it that entertaining or interesting. I found the Invisible Man to be a bore and unlikeable. Who knew that the Invisible Man was a cranky guy with a temper?

Yes, I realize that being invisible would be difficult, especially when you have no ability to become visible again but it seemed that he was unhappy and brash from the start. Maybe I am overthinking it too much, after all the Invisible Man is the anti-hero of the novel but I wanted to care about him a little and I couldn't.

We don't hit the climax of the book until the last 25 pages or so. The ending of the book hit the mark for me. It was suspenseful and gripping. I don't think that there could be anything more terrifying than an invisible lunatic hunting me down. The quality ending just couldn't overcome the slow start for me.(less) "

Tracy read and liked Kristen's review of The Invisible Man (Paperback):

"I love Wells, why I was never made to read anything by him in high school I will never know. The Invisible Man follows the story of an un-named man who enters a tavern/inn in a small town. The man is wrapped head to toe in bandages, eyes covered by...more I love Wells, why I was never made to read anything by him in high school I will never know. The Invisible Man follows the story of an un-named man who enters a tavern/inn in a small town. The man is wrapped head to toe in bandages, eyes covered by goggles and a hat pulled down. Assuming the mysterious man to have been horribly scarred, the innkeeper’s wife rents him a room without even asking his name. Very quickly the reader learns that the man is invisible, and not all that pleasant to begin with.

Although the book starts out slowly soon there is a robbery and mass pandemonium ensues. Whilst escaping from the chaos he has caused, our invisible man comes across a man he knows from his days in the university. Instantly trusting his old professor we learn the invisible man is actually an albino medical student named “Griffin.” Griffin sets down and tells his long tale to the silent professor, a tale of murder, violence, theft, animal testing, and the general mad scientist messing with nature.

To keep from revealing too much of the plot I will stop there, this book can be very easily taken at face value and thoroughly enjoyed as a scientist creates a monster tale. However if you want to delve deeper you might get a glimpse at what Wells thinks is the true soul of man. What would you do if you knew for a fact that you could not be caught? Would an innocent man steal? Murder? or worse? Society is filled with the concept of “invisible” people, faceless crowds that the most could not remember… whether they be the poor, the destitute or whatever the undesirable race of that particular timeframe was. Does their being ignored and viewed as a mass rather than an individual give them the feeling of anonymity encouraging crime? Then there is also the rather xenophobic aspect of this novel, in which an outsider enters a small town and is immediately ostracized, speculated about, followed, harangued and finally viewed with suspicion. The fact that the stranger does turn out to be a not so nice figure may be there as a warning to the reader against the taking in of strangers that we do not know the motivation of (perhaps on a grander scale than the local inn and tavern). One could write papers on this book and its possible concept about immigration, racism, or the basic nature of human morality.

This is not a long story and could feasibly be read in an hour or two. It is also not one of Well’s most exciting entries into his literary cannon, but it may be one of the most simple to discuss in groups in relations to the theories and possible societal commentary included within such a simple story. This is also an excellent introduction into classic literature for the young adult group… I would assume that most 12 and older children should have no problem reading and comprehending this, children as young as 9 might be capable of reading it, but would need explanation and discussion about the difference in the times. Also some of the older language may be difficult for a younger child to comprehend on their own, but they should be able to comprehend it with a little bit of help from a parent or teacher.
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Tracy added a quote:
"I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, with my books, my family, and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post which any human power can give."" — Thomas Jefferson