A review by marcus_bines
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Forcing an 1890s British reader to reckon with the concept that they might not be the masters of the universe is the genius of this short novel. The unnamed main character, while sympathetic, is a white male British cipher through which to explore the idea that maybe what humans do to animals, and what the Empire did to hundreds of countries around the world, might not actually be all that great. In the late Victorian era, it must have been shocking to read Wells comparing us to the heartless, disembodied Martians who invade little England in this story, blasting London and its suburbs to smithereens and bringing suffering to thousands. But that is clearly his point - see this? We did this to Africa and India, and all the others -  and it is superbly made in this highly influential, fast-paced sci-fi, to which almost every alien invasion / apocalyptic story we've come up with since owes at least a small debt. It may not stand up to modern storytelling expectations - there are precious few women featured, for example - but its impact can't be denied.