The War of the Worlds in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 17, 2013 Suvi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cities_london, _great-britain, novels, 1800s, sci-fi

In the newer catastrophe films the target of destruction is almost always New York City, but at the end of the 19th century the epitome of the world is London. The setting was definitely more interesting this way, even though I usually complain about the image that a particular metropolis is the only important thing in the universe. Maybe there was some sense of novelty going on, but I just felt that this switch was for the better. The centre stage of Great Britain offers an opportunity to deal In the newer catastrophe films the target of destruction is almost always New York City, but at the end of the 19th century the epitome of the world is London. The setting was definitely more interesting this way, even though I usually complain about the image that a particular metropolis is the only important thing in the universe. Maybe there was some sense of novelty going on, but I just felt that this switch was for the better. The centre stage of Great Britain offers an opportunity to deal with imperialism, but in this case of course it occurs between planets instead of countries. Perhaps the sense of power due to imperialism has lulled the government into sleep, and causes it to overestimate its powers? Wells bravely challenged his contemporaries to reconsider the meaning of imperialism and its basic ideas.

The development of the situation from uncertainty, disbelief, and indifference into panic and chaos is narrated with credibility. People change in a situation of disarray, and mainly try to take care of themselves. When the end is nigh, laws cease to exist and the weakest unfortunately get trampled on. Each person has different ways of coping, and Wells has demonstrated this really well by reflecting it through the people the protagonist meets on his journey. When the Martians wreak havoc and the structures of society change, everyone are on the same line regardless of their birth, so that the individual characteristics are more clear.

Unlike with Jules Verne, Wells's stories are actually riveting. They take hold of you right until the very last page, and there are no excessive science babbles or irrelevant details, but the novels are still extremely interesting story- and theory-wise. The small amount of science there is, is understandable even to someone like me, who has strong humanist leanings. In this, the paragraphs at the beginning concerning space are not alienating, but intriguing and thought-provoking.

Wells's prose is simple but engaging (kind of like Doyle's). London feels realistic, even though it's not described that much apart from listing different neighbourhoods of London and around it, and the urban life of the 19th century is left to the background. The events seem real and completely plausible. A thin little novel, but gives plenty of reason to many interpretations from several points of view. A big influence on popular culture, but still works on its own. ...more

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Oct 14, 2014 Andy Plonka rated it it was amazing

The ruse that the reading of this book on the radio produced would never fly today. Still, it has its scary moments and much more readable science fiction for me than what is produced today.

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Nov 27, 2011 Jana rated it liked it

Shelves: scifi

I can't believe I managed to reach this age without having already read this book... ...more

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Sep 01, 2010 Erin (NY) rated it liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, classics, sci-fi, fantasy, read-in-2015

This is not a genre I generally enjoy. It is a story of a martian attack on England in the end of the 19th century. I think the most surprising thing for me was when this book was written. Typically one does not expect any space/sci-fi books to be written in 19th century. It is not a typical sic-fi book though. I think it was more of a commentary on the society in face of danger.

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