Lily Dessau's text review
By Lily Dessau / Spinebreakers Crew
H. G Wells is a strong writer, and this is evident in
the War of the Worlds (1898). The accounts of an 'alien invasion' are original for their time, exploring concepts rarely considered before. Wells' wanted to satisfy his readers, to do so he gave a lot of detail to hook and interest them. Today, his style and language could be considered over-elaborate for science-fiction readers. Wells’ vocabulary is extensive, and he shows skill in creating a mental picture for the reader.
The plot was captivating, aliens or 'men from mars' arrive on a common near London and threaten human civilization. However, with Wells' need to justify his story, this somewhat racy plot turns out to be a very long adventure. I found the War of the Worldsa challenge, because of his attention to detail, but would defend its qualities as a classic and recommend it to older teens. Never the less, I'm sure any reader with an interest in science-fiction and a strong vocabulary could easily get into and enjoy this book.