H.G. Wells Science Fiction Classics {With a Confession and Solution}

When I think of War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells my mind goes to a certain sound. The sound of a Tripod from the 1953 movie as it tries to find Sylvia and Clayton while they are hiding in the basement. It creeps me out. Sad, I know. Fortunately, if you read the book you have the luxury of creating your own sound effects-unless, of course, you saw the movie first and are doomed to hear the sound every. single. time. you think of War of the Worlds! Sigh.

Now, I must confess. I’ve not read the actual book, yet. In fact, I’ve not read any of H.G. Wells’ science fiction books. Another “Sad, I know” goes here. I’ve owned the books, had them on Kindle and remember vaguely watching a few of the movies, but actual reading has eluded me. It’s like owning a copy of War and Peace, you don’t really have to read it if you can see it on your shelf. Right?! Wrong!

Homeschooling has opened doors to literature I never knew existed. Ambleside Online has introduced me to books such as Parables from Nature and Otto of the Silver Hand. Books that make me pause and reflect. War of the Worlds is scheduled for Free Reading in Year 10, which has me thinking. What have I been missing by my “book on the shelf” ideal? I should just go ahead and get a seven year jump start and read it! What a better time than in September!? H.G. Wells the author of War of the Worlds was born on September 21, 1866. A chapter a day, a book completed in 27 days. Sounds doable. (Why is my mind laughing hysterically at such an idea as doable?)

We’ll see where this ends up in October. By the way, it was on October 30, 1938 The Mercury Theater did their radio broadcast on War of the Worlds. A fascinating listen if I do say. I like old time radio shows as they pull us back into times forgotten.

Speaking of time. His book The Time Machine was written in 1895 and was followed in succession by three other science fiction novels.

The Time Machine (1895)
The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896)
The Invisible Man (1897)
The War of the Worlds (1898)

A book a year. Surely, if he can write a book a year I can read a chapter a day. Who knows, I might even add these other science fiction books to a future “do-read” list. However, Doctor Moreau might have to wait until I’m older, it seems a bit too scary for me. Until then, I’ve complied a few resources to aid on the journey and may you never see a Tripod in your basement!