First and foremost, sci-fi novels are already my favorite due to the explorable environments, intricate storytelling, and vast world structuring. I love how they always delve into the impossible and make things seem plausible, and this story is no exception for a great sci-fi novel.
War of the Worlds immediately checked off all of my boxes as soon as I began the first chapter. Not only is this book convenient to read, with short chapters and parts being split up so nothing is too confusing, but it also tends to go outside the narrator’s point of view. It’s interesting to hear about how the protagonist discusses what his brother is seeing in real time, even when the protagonist has only heard bits and pieces of his adventures.
Additionally, I’m obsessed with the diction. This book was published in 1898, but the wording is perfectly sound with today’s speech. The vocabulary isn’t too difficult to understand, and occasionally it makes the writing seem more diligent when a hard word is thrown in.
The author H.G. Wells, I would say, is best at his world-building. His story is never slow and always has time to make room for scientific commentary, exemplified by his classic sci-fi what-ifs or analysis of alien inner workings without drifting away from an original thought. It is such an easy, yet extremely entertaining read. Perhaps some parts seem predictable—Ahh, aliens turn out to be bad, not tourist attractions. But Wells comes up with one creative ability for the Martians after the other. Just as soon as people assume they’ve dissolved a portion of the threat, the Martians develop toxic vapors. Not to mention the description of the Martians is totally unique, giving those UFO looks for a body rather than just a machine.
Finally, some takeaways may be that the characters aren’t exactly memorable. In the midst of all the chaos, it’s a struggle to keep track of the catalogue of names, but they aren’t necessarily important to remember as the protagonist is simply telling the story from beginning to end—when they came and when they left.
Despite the garbage movie adaptations and some shame for it being boring, War of the Worlds was no doubt an influence to many sci-fi books and films today for its eerie creations, master details, and decent pacing. Also, it’s an alien invasion topic without much horrifying description, so those who are sensitive will have no trouble testing it out. Ciao, bye.