Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Completed January 5, 2011
Reason for Reading: Sci-Fi Experience
'The stranger came early in February ... He was wrapped up from head to foot, and the brim of his soft felt hat hid every inch of his face but the shiny tip of his nose.' After being evicted by his innkeeper, the invisible man reveals his "secret" and escapes without being seen by anyone. This eerie beginning develops into the story behind the "disfigured stranger" as he is hunted through the English countryside.
I think it is the mark of a good book when it is late at night and you should be sleeping, but instead you want to find out what happens next. I think I needed some classic science-fiction in my life because I haven't read nearly as much of it as I would like. H.G. Wells was a good place to start. This was the type of book where you kept thinking 'What happens next?' I am not even sure why. Maybe because The Invisible Man was such a villain-ish character and I don't read enough books with really great egotistical, self-centred, crazy characters. It was a refreshing change and it was written so well. It was also like a mystery because while you knew from the title there was an invisible man involved; it was near the end of the book before everything was revealed.

Most of the science-fiction I read is of the Space Opera variety. I am a huge Trekkie, to be honest, and like to try and read books related to that series. This was different. It was fate that I read this book, though. While I was in the midst of it I paused to read The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger and she actually got her inspiration for her story from a H.G. Well story. Then, we were having a movie night and the cc, without knowing what I was reading, decided he wanted to watch War
of the Worlds. It is weird how things line up like that.

Anyway, back to the book. This was a great late night read. It was fast-paced enough to keep me awake way later than I should have been. It caught you from the very first page because you don't know what to expect. A mysterious man shows up at an Inn and then strange things start to happen. They think that he is just severely disfigured, but we know that there is more to it than that. You just don't know how it happened or what to expect from him. You know he is rude from the very first, though. That's about it. Sometimes you can't help loving a villain because he is just so compelling in his personality. The Invisible Man is like that. You want to hate him, but at the same time you really feel for him. It's a strange situation. I was fascinated by his thought process and what lead him to one of the most amazing scientific discoveries out there.

So, without revealing any of the plot to a degree that can be considered spoilerish, I am glad I read this book and I look forward to more from H.G. Wells.

9 comments:

  1. There is something about Wells that I just can't take. I'm not sure what it is. I've tried multiple books by him and the only one I've ever made it through was the one I HAD to make it through for my book club. :/ I really want to like him, but...I don't know! I can't hear his voice or something. It bothers me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I so love it when coincidences like that pile up. :D

    You are really cranking out the books this year, aren't you Kelly? Wish I could say the same.

    Glad you enjoyed this one! I read this just a few months ago, and enjoyed it, too. But not nearly as much as War of the Worlds or The Island of Dr. Moreau, both of which I *really* loved. I definitely need to read more by him, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Never read Wells but he’s been on my list for ages. I’m also a Space Opera reader myself but last year

    I made myself reading some fantasy/sci-fi/horror classics like Dracula and Frankenstein. This might be a good option for 2011.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I heard he was such a horrible character! I'd written this off, but it sounds like I need to put it back on my TBR list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amanda: That's too bad. I really enjoyed him, but I have to admit that it was all because he was loaded on my eReader all ready and it was time for the Sci-Fi Experience...

    Debi: You have kids, Debi. I don't... Plus, reading is like my hobby. I do other things, but they all take second string to reading. You are crafty and all that... I am hoping to read War of the Worlds and I noticed my eReader all ready had The Island of Dr. Moreau on it, so I might read that one, too!

    Alexandra: I have to read Dracula and Frankenstein myself. I am thinking maybe near the Halloween... I hope you give Wells a try and enjoy him.

    Eva: It is pretty good. I think it is a page-turner book. Nowadays it would be a thriller, with sci-fi.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I should read this one! Ever since I read Well's The Island of Dr. Moreau I've been meaning to read more by him. I wonder if I'll find this one as strange as that book. Actually, creepy is a better way to describe Island. Oh goodness.. I still shudder thinking of it.

    Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really need to read this book one of these days. I finally read Wells' "War of the Worlds" a couple of years ago and liked it. Might have to make this one the next of his that I read..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Its sad to admit this, but I am 'pretty sure' I've read this and yet am not really sure at all. Given that poor memory I could certainly stand to read it again, if indeed I have already read it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Iliana: I hope you like it. It was rather good. I am looking forward to more Wells at some point!

    Suzi: I am hoping to read War of the Worlds at some point!

    Carl: I do have a few moments where I can't remember if I have read certain books by authors. Especially if it was a while ago!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

I am so sorry, but I turned anonymous commenting off. I have had it from the very beginning, but that is how the spam is getting by my spam filter at the moment. If it is a big deal I will turn it back on and moderate all comments. I also changed moderation from older than 14 days to older than 7.