The Invisible Man in Around the Year in 52 Books

Sep 29, 2024 Book Concierge rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gothic, library, concierge, audio, england, horror, psychology, classic, movie, science-fiction

Book on CD read by Scott Brick

This is a classic of science fiction / horror. It begins when a man appears at a small English village and takes a room. His face is bandaged, and he always wears a hat, a coat with turned-up collar and gloves. He demands privacy and takes his meals in his room. Once his boxes / crates of belongings arrive he takes over a parlor, unpacks multitudes of bottles and equipment, and begins working in what appears to be a laboratory. Once his secret is revealed, however, ...more

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Mar 25, 2016 RebeccaErGlad MegetGlad rated it liked it

Shelves: literature, books-i-own, bingo2016, bookclub

I don’t have much to say about this one.

Pro: Efficiently scary, inventive. The language is clear and precise.

Con: It’s incredibly formulaic, or so it feels, rather like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and, to some extent, The Picture of Dorian Grey as well. Someone, who’s not truly bad, but has all the right (wrong) inclinations in that regard, discovers something incredible, often scientific. Their lonely pursuit of this goal leads them down a path to madness, and we loose sympathy. Finally some stand I don’t have much to say about this one.

Pro: Efficiently scary, inventive. The language is clear and precise.

Con: It’s incredibly formulaic, or so it feels, rather like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and, to some extent, The Picture of Dorian Grey as well. Someone, who’s not truly bad, but has all the right (wrong) inclinations in that regard, discovers something incredible, often scientific. Their lonely pursuit of this goal leads them down a path to madness, and we loose sympathy. Finally some stand up guy or guys resolves the issue.

It predictable in a boring way, even though it’s expertly done in this case. I like this better than DJaMH.

I get that it can be read as a warning about the consequences of solitude, arrogance and narcissism, and a underlining of the foundation of human morals in the social.

But it’s not exactly a social commentary, and, like a children’s book, Evil can be confined to one man and thus eliminated. Common people (meaning everybody but the “protagonist”) are simply too nice. Some of them, like Mrs. Hall, the landlady, are beautifully described, but they never transcend the stereotype.

All in all, this is an outstanding example of a genre that I – when it comes down to it – don’t like, and there the proverbial Danish dog is buried.

3 stars meaning that I respect it and can appreciate that it is well done, but just not for me.

“Really” word count: 0. Steinbeck must still be in effect.

Small rant: I am the type of person that always brings at least four, often more, books with me when I travel. Not because I’m suffering under the illusion that I’ll read all of them, but because I like to have a selection (shut up about your bleeding Kindle - I am not yet ready). This time, though, I though: be sensible, Rebecca, and just bring one. A thin one (so it weighs less - I only had carry-on) (and you can keep on being silent as the grave about that Kindle) and now I’ve read it! At first I was distraught, but then I caught wind of a good bookstore.. I’ll just have to fit it in the suitcase somehow. For once, I have a good excuse. And I’m going to get some apple pie. And watch Hail Cesar. And lament that High Rise doesn’t have a premier date in DK yet, but the Netherlands premiere is after I leave.. Sigh.

Read for the Old and New Classics Challenge 2016: Catching up on Classics. ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Lauren rated it liked it

I was curious to see how the classic differed from the current remake movie of this novel. It definitely differed by a lot. I enjoyed this though and I’m glad I had the experience of reading it and getting through another classic.

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