The London Pen: A Sequel to the War of the Worlds Defeat

by Jean-Pierre Guillet

The London Pen is a sequel to H. G. Wells’ famous masterpiece: The War of the Worlds. What if, after their initial failure, the Martian came back? In The London Pen, this second invasion was successful. Human beings are treated like cattle in breeding stations, where the aliens «milk» people regularly to satisfy their bloodthirsty needs. But the reader also gets the Martians’ viewpoint, and can even visit their dying world. At last, this story reveals what was only hinted at by Wells in his book:

«So soon as they’ve settled all our guns and ships, and smashed our railways, and done all the things they are doing over there, they will begin catching us systematic, picking the best and storing us in cages and things. ... Well, the Martians will be just a godsend to these. Nice roomy cages, fattening food, careful breeding, no worry. ... They’ll be quite glad after a bit. They’ll wonder what people did before there were Martians to take care of them. »

Genres: Science Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2024

About the author

Author of 23 books in French and 7 in English. He received the 1998 Aurora Award for best French Canadian science-fiction novel for L'Odyssée du Pénélope (The Odyssey of the Penelope), a story about a Martian expedition. He was also nominated for the 2004 Aurora Award for La cage de Londres (The London Pen), a sequel to H.G.Wells' War of the Worlds