H. G. Wells Classic Collection II
H. G. Wells Classic Collection II is a beautiful hardback omnibus collection of Wells’ four novels: In the Days of the Comet, Men Like Gods, The Sleeper Awakes, and The War in the Air.
From the promotional synopsis:
In the Days of the Comet is a 1906 story in which the vapors of a comet bring about a profound and lasting transformation in the attitudes and perspectives of humankind. The 1923 novel Men Like Gods features a journalist who finds himself in a utopian parallel universe, and as the utopian attitudes begin to have their effect on him, he finds that he and his fellow travelers may be having their own effect upon the utopia. The 1910 dystopian tale The Sleeper Awakes centers on a man who sleeps for 203 years, waking up in a completely transformed London, where he has become the richest man in the world. Lastly, The War in the Air, from 1907, is notable for its prophetic ideas, images, and concepts, in particular the use of the aircraft for the purpose of warfare and the coming of World War I.
This collection is another fantastic gathering of Wells’ science fiction works that fans of the author should enjoy. These are not his most popular works (see Collection I for those), so I wasn’t as familiar with them. In the Days of the Comet and The War in the Air contain more of Wells’ political ideas than the feel of science fiction. Though, Men Like Gods deal with a parallel universe, and The Sleeper Awakes gives a futuristic view of London. Wells’ writing flows well and makes for easy reading for all ages. And of course, his creativity is inspiring whether you’re a science fiction fan or not.
The Sleeper Awakes is one of my favorite Wells novels. 🙂 I didn’t enjoy In the Days of the Comet that much, though; it generally seemed boring, and the expression of Wells’ socio-political views was much more blatant than usual.