What do you think?
Rate this book
The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham
Short story by H. G. Wells.
Audiobook
First published May 1, 1896
2 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,189 books11.2k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 19, 2024
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Tim Bruce
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Tim Bruce
December 14, 2025
Grim (2.5⭐️)
This was quite horrific. There is always a catch when someone offers you a large fortune.
The young man believes he has struck luck itself when he is chosen to inherit a great wealth, only to learn that in life there is always a price. And the price here is everything: his body, his soul, and his freedom.
He goes from being young and full of possibility to being trapped inside another man’s old, fragile body, forced to endure the crushing burden of age. A body worn down by time. A life not truly his. And worst of all, an existence stripped of choice.
What makes this especially disturbing is that this old man did not reach old age with peace or fulfillment. There is no sense that he lived well, no comforting memories to lean on—only decay and desperation passed on like an inheritance.
The story is well written and the concept is chilling, but I still feel something was missing. I wanted more of the protagonist’s agony, more time spent inside that imprisoned mind. I also wanted to feel Mr. Elvesham’s hunger for freedom more deeply, to fully understand the cruelty behind his actions.
This was quite horrific. There is always a catch when someone offers you a large fortune.
The young man believes he has struck luck itself when he is chosen to inherit a great wealth, only to learn that in life there is always a price. And the price here is everything: his body, his soul, and his freedom.
He goes from being young and full of possibility to being trapped inside another man’s old, fragile body, forced to endure the crushing burden of age. A body worn down by time. A life not truly his. And worst of all, an existence stripped of choice.
What makes this especially disturbing is that this old man did not reach old age with peace or fulfillment. There is no sense that he lived well, no comforting memories to lean on—only decay and desperation passed on like an inheritance.
The story is well written and the concept is chilling, but I still feel something was missing. I wanted more of the protagonist’s agony, more time spent inside that imprisoned mind. I also wanted to feel Mr. Elvesham’s hunger for freedom more deeply, to fully understand the cruelty behind his actions.
March 23, 2024
ENGLISH: This thriller, published in 1896, can be considered, to a point, in the same category as The Master Mind of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and also (in a different way) as episode 143 of the famous series "The Twilight Zone," titled "Queen of the Nile." The ending of the story, however, is a little too hasty.
ESPAÑOL: Este cuento terrorífico, publicado en 1896, se puede considerar, hasta cierto punto, en la misma categoría que The Master Mind of Mars de Edgar Rice Burroughs, y también se asemeja (aunque de otra manera) al episodio 143 de la famosa serie "Dimensión Desconocida", titulado "La Reina del Nilo". Sin embargo, el final del cuento es un poco apresurado.
ESPAÑOL: Este cuento terrorífico, publicado en 1896, se puede considerar, hasta cierto punto, en la misma categoría que The Master Mind of Mars de Edgar Rice Burroughs, y también se asemeja (aunque de otra manera) al episodio 143 de la famosa serie "Dimensión Desconocida", titulado "La Reina del Nilo". Sin embargo, el final del cuento es un poco apresurado.
October 27, 2019
This is one of the stories that made me a lifelong reader. It is, moreover, the only literary work that has managed to frighten me. H. P. Lovecraft wrote a similar story called "The Thing on the Doorstep."
August 24, 2023
It's very sci-fi meets The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Edgar Allan Poe.
With that being said, it is one of the least sci-fi like of H. G. Wells. (this one and The Magic Shop, I believe)
With that being said, it is one of the least sci-fi like of H. G. Wells. (this one and The Magic Shop, I believe)
January 14, 2023
Another Audrey app freebie listen. A short story that reminded me of Jekyll and Hyde both stylistically and in terms of plot. The narrator was excellent.
March 7, 2017
This was actually a pretty depressing story of body swapping or mind swapping with an ending that was very unsatisfying.
January 2, 2023
I thought this truthful and eerily brilliant.
What we would give to retain or return to youth, I believe, is often pondered.
What we would give to retain or return to youth, I believe, is often pondered.
November 8, 2021
Essa foi a primeira história que li pelo formato de audiobook, e acho que funcionou bem por ser um conto até bem curtinho e de ser de um autor no qual já li outras histórias. Apesar de alguns elementos da ficção científica, esse conto me passou muito mais uma atmosfera de horror, obscura e fantástica.
Nesse livro acompanhamos o relato escrito do jovem universitário Edward Eden que um dia é surpreendido pela figura de um velho que lhe faz uma proposta surpreendente e, ao mesmo tempo, irrecusável: que ele se torne o herdeiro de sua grande fortuna. Ainda que receoso, Eden se vê tentado a fechar tal acordo sem saber o tanto de bizarro pode estar por trás dessa benfeitoria.
Ainda que o caminho da história não tenha me surpreendido de todo, as palavras de H. G. Wells sempre são fantásticas e nos passam a tensão, o horror e a confusão com que o personagem principal se depara. A partir de uma narrativa que parte do próprio relato, escrito a mão, do personagem, nos vemos envolvidos e imersos na história. Um ponto do final me pegou de surpresa e, com isso, o autor criou uma grande incógnita entre ter sido uma história real ou apenas a confusão de uma mente fragilizada.
Nesse livro acompanhamos o relato escrito do jovem universitário Edward Eden que um dia é surpreendido pela figura de um velho que lhe faz uma proposta surpreendente e, ao mesmo tempo, irrecusável: que ele se torne o herdeiro de sua grande fortuna. Ainda que receoso, Eden se vê tentado a fechar tal acordo sem saber o tanto de bizarro pode estar por trás dessa benfeitoria.
Ainda que o caminho da história não tenha me surpreendido de todo, as palavras de H. G. Wells sempre são fantásticas e nos passam a tensão, o horror e a confusão com que o personagem principal se depara. A partir de uma narrativa que parte do próprio relato, escrito a mão, do personagem, nos vemos envolvidos e imersos na história. Um ponto do final me pegou de surpresa e, com isso, o autor criou uma grande incógnita entre ter sido uma história real ou apenas a confusão de uma mente fragilizada.
April 2, 2024
Acabei de descobrir a ideia de origem de um monte de filmes que assistimos e trocam apenas alguns detalhes do enredo e criam coisas novas, mas, centralizados nessa ideia passada nesse conto.
Simplesmente genial saber que o cara pensou nisso, lá em 1896. Com isso, além da ótima ideia original, também podemos ver a origem de onde surgiram golpistas com ideias simplesmente irrecusáveis, onde conseguem qualquer coisa de suas vítimas, devido a arrogância, vaidade e principalmente a ambição das pessoas.
É um conto fascinante, onde Wells nos faz repensar e refletir bastante sobre a humanidade, e o caminho para onde seguimos como sociedade, questões sempre recorrentes como a nossa mortalidade e a ideia de sempre tentar manter a juventude. Além disso, a ingenuidade comum justamente nessa juventude, e a intrigante ideia de recorrer a ela, mas mantendo toda a experiência de uma vida amadurecida pelos anos.
Simplesmente genial saber que o cara pensou nisso, lá em 1896. Com isso, além da ótima ideia original, também podemos ver a origem de onde surgiram golpistas com ideias simplesmente irrecusáveis, onde conseguem qualquer coisa de suas vítimas, devido a arrogância, vaidade e principalmente a ambição das pessoas.
É um conto fascinante, onde Wells nos faz repensar e refletir bastante sobre a humanidade, e o caminho para onde seguimos como sociedade, questões sempre recorrentes como a nossa mortalidade e a ideia de sempre tentar manter a juventude. Além disso, a ingenuidade comum justamente nessa juventude, e a intrigante ideia de recorrer a ela, mas mantendo toda a experiência de uma vida amadurecida pelos anos.
June 20, 2019
HG Wells is best remembered as one of the founding fathers of science fiction, but he could write weird or scary stories when he wanted to, and this one is a classic. It concerns a rich, elderly man who, knowing his end is approaching, manages to steal the body of a much younger man, transferring his mind into it. The ending is perhaps a bit too neat, but this story still packs a punch, with Wells' almost matter-of-fact narrative style making it all the more powerful.
February 21, 2023
This is bite sized Invisible Man. I’m not mad at it though.
May 13, 2024
Not bad but very predictable. A specimen of fiction of its time.
Audrey did a great job with the audiobook, i recommend trying this form.
Audrey did a great job with the audiobook, i recommend trying this form.
September 14, 2024
3.75☆
what an interesting short story! i'm so glad i picked it up. read if you like the death of ivan ilyich and the picture of dorian gray.
what an interesting short story! i'm so glad i picked it up. read if you like the death of ivan ilyich and the picture of dorian gray.
January 23, 2026
Imagine the worst possible body swap.
October 2, 2024
Corta, concisa y muy buena. Siento que es muy analizable.
May 24, 2021
This is a spooky eerie story but karma does catch up. Edward Eden is a young medical student in the prime of his life with meagre circumstances on chances on Mr. Elvesham a philosopher who tricks him.
I don't understand the science behind it but with the help of a potion, they exchange bodies. Eden wakes up and finds himself in a decrepit body and all his money and estate signed to Mr. Eden. Penniless and old he writes down a letter and kills himself where it is found that Mr. Elvesham who tricked him also meets his fate, though he had the answer to immortality. Spooky but interesting ready. There's always justice...
I don't understand the science behind it but with the help of a potion, they exchange bodies. Eden wakes up and finds himself in a decrepit body and all his money and estate signed to Mr. Eden. Penniless and old he writes down a letter and kills himself where it is found that Mr. Elvesham who tricked him also meets his fate, though he had the answer to immortality. Spooky but interesting ready. There's always justice...
June 26, 2023
An evil old geezer cooks up some mendacious monkeyshines about being a young man trapped in the aforementioned’s body.
August 28, 2021
An impoverished medical student named Edward Eden is approached by an enigmatic elderly man with a proposition. With no children of his own, he wishes to find a healthy, upstanding, intelligent young man to whom he can bequeath his fortune. He eventually reveals himself as the famous philosopher Elvesham. After Eden is proven to fulfill all of his conditions, Elvesham takes him to dinner during which he drugs Eden. Shortly after, the younger man realizes the nefarious intentions behind Elvesham's grand offer.
February 27, 2025
Penguin books, 2007.
The language is captive, sharp and swift.
The theme was already done by Mary Shelley, and, I suppose, before her the German romantics.
My sixth sense tells me that I have read a similar story from one German romantic.
Nevertheless, Wells does this universal theme very well, he wrote it better than Mary Shelley.
This short story also has elements of the Wandering Jew topos.
Energetic vampirism, living forever, body snatching....
Every gothic ghoul should read this story.
Hasta luego mis murciélagos!
The language is captive, sharp and swift.
The theme was already done by Mary Shelley, and, I suppose, before her the German romantics.
My sixth sense tells me that I have read a similar story from one German romantic.
Nevertheless, Wells does this universal theme very well, he wrote it better than Mary Shelley.
This short story also has elements of the Wandering Jew topos.
Energetic vampirism, living forever, body snatching....
Every gothic ghoul should read this story.
Hasta luego mis murciélagos!
November 10, 2023
¿Qué puedo decir de esta obra?
Jajajaja épico el final, a veces por querer actuar mal, la vida nos cobra instantáneamente.
De este libro no hare resumen como el del país de los ciegos ya que siento que el encanto de esta historia es precisamente leerla y descubrir ese fabuloso final.
Lo que si tengo que decir es el segundo cuento que leo de H.G Wells y la verdad me estoy enamorando de las historias de este autor, los seguiré leyendo.
Jajajaja épico el final, a veces por querer actuar mal, la vida nos cobra instantáneamente.
De este libro no hare resumen como el del país de los ciegos ya que siento que el encanto de esta historia es precisamente leerla y descubrir ese fabuloso final.
Lo que si tengo que decir es el segundo cuento que leo de H.G Wells y la verdad me estoy enamorando de las historias de este autor, los seguiré leyendo.
March 16, 2024
«La historia del difunto Señor Elvesham» de Wells es la fantástica historia de la búsqueda de la eterna juventud mediante la suplantación de cuerpos jóvenes. Un científico anciano cambia su cuerpo por el cuerpo de un joven estudiante mediante drogas. Esta narración inverosímil y desquiciada, que recuerda al «Dr. Jekyll y Mr Hyde» de Stevenson y al «retrato de Dorian Gray» de Wilde, está narrada en primera persona como la confesión de un demente. Resulta fascinante.
February 13, 2019
This lovely story is written with a very realistic language. I love it. The author, in his sweet manner, begins the narration, with the help of of the protagonist-narrator, saying that this is a true story, but but he doesn’t expect him to be believed... Although he wants to just warn others... So, to find out what kind of story is it, it must be read. In one sitting.
Read
April 11, 2024The best thing to come from H. G. Wells. The bluntness of the inevitable path this story was to take from the beginning did not detract from the narrative, but intensified the uneasy suspense. The narrative was skillfully lean, without excess, but satisfyingly paranoid. I enjoyed the depiction of confusion, doubt, and tickling fear.
April 3, 2025
this is why you sometimes need to read old short stories - to remind you why the form of a short story exists. this is a fascinating idea that isn’t drawn out into a full-length novel, but still sufficiently discusses aging, science (and its morality), and humanity.
March 2, 2018
Fantastic read. Fantastic concept.
May 7, 2018
Terrifying.
August 31, 2018
Deux nouvelles fantastiques qui ont mal vieilli, je trouve. Le rythme de la première est très lent, mais le rebondissement final est bien trouvé. On peut dire le contraire de la seconde.
September 1, 2018
Extraño suceso es el participe principal de esta historia, la suerte como tal en esta historia tendrá otro camino. Historia corta y rápida de leer, con un poco de ciencia también.
September 1, 2019
The story is very confused.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews