Appearance
The Invisible Man
ISBN 0590440160 - Other reviews have left me utterly confused as to what they were reviewing... This is in part Amazon's fault, because I'm looking at a Scholastic paperback listing and seeing reviews for an audiobook, for example. Because of that, I'm including the ISBN of the book I'm actually reviewing, hoping to keep things clear.A strange man appears in Iping, taking a room at the Coach and Horses owned by Mr and Mrs Hall. He doesn't make a fuss about the price, but does make odd requests from the first. Thrilled to have a paying guest, Mrs Hall is more than happy to oblige, especially since her guest was obviously the victim of a terrible accident. Covered from head to toe, other than the very tip of his nose, he gives no name and no answers to her prying questions. Money talks, though, and she accepts quite a bit in the way of strange and bad behavior. When money is stolen from a neighbor, things begin to come together for the people of Iping and they realize there's an invisible man in their midst. Chased from town and forced into hiding, he runs. While fleeing, he meets with Dr Kemp, who was his fellow student at University College, and tells him his story. He identifies himself as Griffin and the story he tells removes all doubt for the reader about pitying the poor misunderstood invisible man - he's most definitely an unfeeling monster.I couldn't help but wonder what to make of some of it. The sentence "Sounds like throwing the tablecloth about" made me wonder exactly what that sounds like - mine, thrown about, makes no noise. Also, Griffin says he made a rag invisible, as well as a cat. Of the cat, he says " ...giving drugs to a cat is no joke...". Does this mean he gave drugs to a rag? How is that possible? My pickiness aside, it's a very good book and a classic that everyone ought to read at least once. This edition is supposed to be for kids ages 9-13, but some might actually find it gives them bad dreams so I'd recommend it for the 9 year old who actually likes scary tales. It's not overly frightening, but a sensitive kid with a vivid imagination can scare himself silly fairly easily. Words like Strychnine and paleolithic appear through the book, so a dictionary to hand might help the younger ones.- AnnaLovesBooks
The Invisible Man
It was a cold and snowy February day when a stranger walked to a small country inn and ordered a meal and a private room. This stranger guards his privacy and desires solitude. His luggage consists of many bottles of powders and fluids as would be used by an experimental investigator. The local general practitioner visits the stranger, and sees something he can't believe. Then someone steals money from the Reverend Bunting although he and his wife see nobody. Later Mr. & Mrs. Hall, innkeepers, see the stranger's room is empty, until the chair moves around as if possessed by spirits. When questioned by Mrs. Hall the stranger removes his nose! Then the bandages and spectacles go, and the people see no head! When the constable comes to arrest him, the man removes all his garments and disappears into thin air. The crowd tries to grab him but he escapes.Mr. Thomas Marvel, a wandering tramp, is found by this Unseen and convinced to work for him. They return to the inn to fetch books and clothing. This sets off a commotion among the people there, and another chase. The panicked people fled from the streets and locked themselves in their homes. There was a story about "flying money" that was removed from shops and inns. At another inn Marvel seeks shelter, he has escaped from the Invisible Man. When this Unseen enters to take Marvel away, a bearded American fires at the Unseen with his revolver. Later the Unseen visits a physician for treatment of his wound (his blood can be seen). The Unseen has met Dr. Kemp at college, and is fed and clothed.The Unseen explains the scientific principles of optical density in a general way. If the refractive index of a substance was lowered to that of air it would be invisible in most cases (Chapter XIX). The Unseen kept his work secret because of the thefts in the scientific world of science. But the Unseen acquired money by foul means which cursed his work! Griffin tells of the previous experiments that led to invisibility (Chapter XX). The next chapters gives Griffin's history. But Kemp has written to the police, and they arrive. Griffin escapes once again, and Kemp warns the police about what must be done (Chapter XXV). Griffin is mad and inhuman, "pure selfishness". His attempts to kill Kemp lead to his own destruction, and his body becomes visible after death (Chapter XXVIII).If accurate, this story provides a snapshot of life in London and its suburbs at that time. It also tells that carrying arms was nothing unusual. H. G. Wells shows his literary skills in making believable an impossible condition. There are those who still believe that describing something in words makes it real (like "childproof guns", etc.). Readers of Wells' later works can judge how close to the truth his writings were. This fable warns against uncontrolled scientific experiments, from poison gas to atomic bombs, or the current craze for cloning or "genetic modification" The story of unseen theft of money can also be a warning against a Private Banking Cartel and its continual devaluation of the currency to help Big Business in its struggle against small businesses and working people. In this story the people unite to terminate the Unseen; this doesn't always happen in the real world.
The Invisible Man
A brilliant and obsessed scientist named Griffin makes an amazing discovery that -he thinks- will change the world completely: the method to achieve invisibility. Eager to show his environment the power of his invention and to obtain the necessary funds for his research, he applies the formula to himself. But soon he realises that a man with such capabilities is automatically cast out of society and will be hunted down like a rabies dog. Taking whatever action is necessary to keep his discovery safe, he terrorises the local village where he has sought refuge.The Invisible Man was serialised in the June and July 1897 numbers of Pearson's Weekly before its appearance in book form the following September. Surprisingly enough the story does not show a single sign of old age: it can almost be called a Modern Classic. In comparison to other great novels of the same period, Wells successfully avoids adding too obvious moral lessons to the story. Nevertheless The Invisible Man radiates one strong social message. Wells created a strong allegory to the Invisible Men of the Victorian times. He skilfully weaves together the elements of the story as the invisible Griffin first sees invisibility as a solution to every problem, but soon realises that it is nothing less than a gift from the Devil. As Griffin gradually loses his sanity and, ultimately, his humanity, the reader becomes aware that social invisibility breaks down the pillars of society.Although the story-line is quite straightforward, in such a way that the author leads the reader by the hand with first person narrative, the power of the story clearly lies with the evolution of the character Griffin. The deterioration of his moral is portrayed with such a convincing drive, that one easily gets to understand the motivation of his evil deeds.
The Invisible Man
It is ironical that one of the characters of H. G. Wells' "The Invisible Man" finds the right explanation to the book itself: it is `a story of brutal self-seeking'. The fact that he is referring to the invisible man's personal story itself actually helps to make the connection."The Invisible Man" is in the surface a fantasy science fiction. But it is too simplistic to reduce Wells' book to that. At some point it can be read as a metaphor of living in society or the human nature. One is only free to be what he or she is once he/she is hidden. The character only shows his true colors once he is invisible -- what is a little ironic.Most of the characters are archetypical, and they work fine for the writer's purpose. With that he explore different strata of his society. And however much it is a fantasy; the aspects of the human nature are quite believable.Wells' writing is accessible and it is not difficult even for young readers. His style is very straightforward -- even when a flashback pops up-- and there is always something happening, what never let the rhythm falls. And, Wells' sense of humor is a plus. Some fantasy and science fiction contemporary writers should read Wells and learn a thing or two with this man -- who, by the way, was very ahead of his time.
The Invisible Man
Ah, "The Invisible Man". One of H.G. Wells' big four books. Probably his least self-conscious in terms of conveying a meaningful message. Indeed, aside from some quick jabs of satire regarding class and the customary warning against bad science found in all "mad scientist" stories, Wells seems far more interested in having fun with the idea of an invisible man. The end result is just a treat.In a nutshell, a mysterious man, wrapped in bandages, arrives in a small English hamlet, takes a room in bording house, and demands absolute privacy, as he fiddles with chemistry sets and generally acts like a mad man. When he finally has enough of his neighbors' nosyness, this man, Griffin, rips off his bandages and false facial features, revealing himself in all of his invisible glory. He then creates all manner of mischief, even committing a murder. Looking up an old acquaintance, Kemp, Griffin relates his grand scheme for a "reign of terror", leading to the rule of the Invisible Man over the world.Despite Griffin's progressively evil nature, Wells was definitely going for laughs. Griffin is far more successful in being a general pain then he is a monster. Nonetheless, when he begins on his plans, they are unnerving. When he turns on Kemp, the reader genuinely fears for Kemp's safety. And yet when he meets his demise, we find ourselves rather pitying the poor fool.This novel was only directly filmed once, starring Claude Rains. While it alters the plot some, the film definitely captures the spirit of Wells' classic.While not Well's most sophisticated novel, it is among his most entertaining. You can't go wrong with this one.
The Invisible Man
I watched the "League of Extraordinary Genlemen" and saw the Invisible man's likness in it. I instantly wanted to read the book, and I think it is one of the best I ever read. The plot is amazing, and although Mr. Griffin is homicidal, he never fails to lose his sense of humor. Though short, I would definitely read it again- because it is wonderful. If you haven't read it, then you are truly deprived of a good book.