Matthew's Reviews > The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
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Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2022, completist-book-club, classic, sci-fi, read-more-than-once
Feb 02, 2022
bookshelves: 2022, completist-book-club, classic, sci-fi, read-more-than-once
I swear that I read this when I was younger, but when I went to add this to Goodreads as a re-read (it was the January selection for my Completist Book Club), I did not find it in my list. And, because this is one of those books that has a plot people tend to know because of movies and/or its general pop culture relevance, it is difficult for me to know which parts of my memories of this are from the book and which are from other places. But, re-read or not, I am glad I read it in January 2022.
This is classic sci fi. It is easy to see how many parts of this led to the tropes we see in literary and cinematic sci-fi today. And it is pretty amazing the creativity Wells had for coming up with such vivid and scientifically based alien technology and biology. This book was way ahead of its time!
While the setting is late 1800s England (horse carriages, telegrams, etc.), it is not hard to picture this in a modern setting. Wells did a great job making the story timeless. Often when I read books set in this era, they may be good, but they can also feel dated – not a bad thing, it is just that time moves on. But, with this one, society may have advanced, but it did not feel like time had moved on.
If you love the classics and/or love sci-fi and you have not read this book, I feel like it is a must for you to get it on your list right away. I was leaning toward 4 stars on this book, but the classic status and the effect it has had on sci fi over the years push that up to 5 stars!
This is classic sci fi. It is easy to see how many parts of this led to the tropes we see in literary and cinematic sci-fi today. And it is pretty amazing the creativity Wells had for coming up with such vivid and scientifically based alien technology and biology. This book was way ahead of its time!
While the setting is late 1800s England (horse carriages, telegrams, etc.), it is not hard to picture this in a modern setting. Wells did a great job making the story timeless. Often when I read books set in this era, they may be good, but they can also feel dated – not a bad thing, it is just that time moves on. But, with this one, society may have advanced, but it did not feel like time had moved on.
If you love the classics and/or love sci-fi and you have not read this book, I feel like it is a must for you to get it on your list right away. I was leaning toward 4 stars on this book, but the classic status and the effect it has had on sci fi over the years push that up to 5 stars!
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Reading Progress
January 25, 2022
–
Started Reading
January 25, 2022
– Shelved
January 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
2022
January 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
completist-book-club
January 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
classic
January 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
January 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
read-more-than-once
January 29, 2022
–
Finished Reading
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by
Colin
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Feb 02, 2022 12:13PM
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
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![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Thanks, Colin! :D
![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
I am sorry this one was not for you, Kandice! In general, Wells' writing seems to click with me.
![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Thanks, Christi! I hope you enjoy it when you do!
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
It was the selection for one of my book clubs in January. Maybe you are friends with lots of people in that group! :)
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
It was the selection for one of my book c..."
Of course! That's it and that's how it goes on GRs - great. CB
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Thanks, Colin! It has been interesting seeing all the different opinions on this one and the different places where people have been influenced by this story (movies, radio dramas, etc.)
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
Just out of interest, Matt. Have you watched the Spielberg/Tom Cruise version? Not everyone's cuppa but I think it was quite good. CB
![Matthew](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
I have - but it feels like it was 20 years ago (is it even that old?)
And, since it was so long ago I cannot really remember my experience with it. Maybe I should try again?
![Colin Baldwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697739551p1/140919522.jpg)
It was showing a few weeks ago here Down Under. I still liked it third time through. CB
![Greta Samuelson](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1642971446p1/37755694.jpg)
I really need to put this one on my list so I can talk to her about it.