Article first published as Book Review: The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells on Blogcritics.
About:
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells is a science fiction classic written in 1897. The novella was first serialized in Pearson’s Weeklythe same year it was published.
- 196 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Brown
- ISBN: 1613822162
My rating for The Invisible Man – 4
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Part of the League of Extraordinary Gentle — Men of la — Book Challenge (Vol. 1)
Thoughts:
What if what you consider a blessing is also a curse?
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells touches on this very same question.
How many of us wouldn’t like to be invisible? That’s what the protagonist, Griffin, thought when he became invisible only to find it to be the bane of his existence. Yes, there are some positives aspects but H.G. Wells concentrates mostly on the negative ones.
I thought Wells did a good job building up the eerie atmosphere that is prominent throughout the story. Actually, the atmosphere is the star of the book as none of the characters resonated with me and the storyline, which mainly consisted of wrecking havoc for havoc’s sake, was not very inspired. The story itself is also quite funny, I thought and many of the scenes played in my mind as slapstick.
However, one could certainly tell that Wells is a master storyteller and I find myself engrossed in the story for several chapters (mainly at the beginning and end). I also found the period details in the book very interesting.
The Invisible Man is the ultimate story of an insane anti-hero, before insane anti-heroes became popular. Griffin himself becomes more and more pathetic as the story progress and from the comical start Wells moves away to a darker, subtle satire of small minds in small towns can be just as dangerous as any psychopath.
So tell me, who is your favorite anti-hero?
Synopsis:
Griffin is a scientist who devotes himself to the field of optics. While working in his research Griffin discovers that he can change the body’s refractive index to absorbs all light and reflect none, which makes him invisible.
The scientist uses himself as his first experimentation subject but fails to reverse the process. After his friend betray him, Griffin decided to murder him and begins his own personal “reign of terror”.
Great price on this book paper or free in electronic format
through the Man of la Book Affiliate Account
Zohar – Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free
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- Book review; The Country of the Blind, H.G. Wells (kasiajames.wordpress.com)
- Review: Prophets of Science Fiction (underwordsblog.com)
- Did H.G. Wells do a better job predicting the future of warfare than the Pentagon? [H.G. Wells] (io9.com)
- I’m the Invisible Man (atamotek.wordpress.com)
BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read The Invisible Man? If so link up your review below:
8 Comments
Well, one of my favorite anti-heroes isn’t from a book, but Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) from the movie Cool Hand Luke was the first to come to mind. Loved him!
I love Cool Hand Luke – The Man with No Eyes – a classic.
I haven’t read the book yet, though I’ve always wanted too, but I did watch the movie the other day and loved it. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, so I’m wondering how the close it followed the book.
Thanks for the comment Ryan. The movies make the main character more sympathetic in my opinion.
I have been wanting to read this! Thanks for the reminder.
I’ve got this one conquered for the League Challenge too. Tried to link the review…not showing up yet.
Hi Bev, it works.
H.G. well was a very interesting author. I will have to re-read this work. It has been many years, and the first time I was quite young and did not understand some of the depth that you discuss. Nice review.