From the Bookshelf of Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)…

The Invisible Man

H.G. Wells

Start date: October 1, 2014

Finish date: October 31, 2014

Why we're reading this: Old School Classic Group Read, October 2014
[close] Old School Classic Group Read, October 2014

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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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Jun 21, 2018 A. S. rated it it was ok

Boring. Just a lot of exposition without a lot of action.

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Oct 08, 2019 Rianto Dermawan rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

I looked about me at the hillside with children playing and the girls watching , and tried to think of all the fantastic advantages an invisible man would have in the world
I thought I had impunity to do whatever I chose , everything save to give away my secret
I realized what a helpless absurdity an invisible man was . It was impossible to enjoy

Ambition, what is the good of pride of place you cannot appear there.

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