The War of the Worlds (Books of Wonder)

Rating:
Summary: A major classic and influence on later literature.
Review: This is the first novel describing warfare between planets. Mars is portrayed as a dying world. An invasion, expeditionary force of Martians has landed in southern England, landing first in Woking (about 25 miles southwest of London), and this event and the destruction caused by the Martians is seen through the eyes of a writer in speculative philosophy. This book is probably Wells' most noted work. It was published right after certain noted astronomical observations had been reported in the newspapers. Wells refers to his novel as an attack on "human self-satisfaction." At that time, Britain was deeply involved in Empire activities in Africa and India and Wells had presented a story in which "the tables are turned:" now it is England who suffers takeover. The book isn't simply a science fiction tale (or, even the first novel of a war between planets). It leads into a discussion of Britain's role in the world, of imperialism, and of colonialism. And, to all those teenagers who thought it was boring and gave it one star, remember that it was the first novel in a whole sub-genre of science fiction. It appeared in 1898! My goodness, think of the science of that time. Marie Curie's first paper was only just published in 1897. The first all-metal dirigible first flew in November of 1897. This is a pioneering novel. And you should read it as such. Those other books and films you use as examples would not be what they are without Wells.