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The First Men in the Moon (Penguin Classics)
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HG Wells was born in Bromley, Kent in 1866. After working as a draper's apprentice and pupil-teacher, he won a scholarship to the Normal School of Science in 1884, studying under T H Huxley. He was awarded a first-class honours degree in biology and resumed teaching but had to retire after a kick from an ill-natured pupil afflicted his kidneys. He worked in poverty in London as a crammer while experimenting in journalism and stories. It was with The Time Machine (1895) that he had his real breakthrough. Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was born in 1929; her parents were the anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and the writer Theodora Kroeber. She writes both poetry and prose, including realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young children's books, books for young adults, screenplays, essays, verbal texts for musicians, and voicetexts for performance or recording. She has published five books of poetry, seventeen novels, over a hundred short stories (collected in eight volumes), two collections of essays, eleven books for children, and two volumes of translation. Several of Le Guin's major titles have remained continuously in print for over thirty years. Her best known fantasy works, the first four Books of Earthsea, have sold millions of copies in America and England, and have been translated into sixteen languages. Three of Le Guin's books have been finalists for the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and among the many honors her writing has received are the National Book Award, five Hugo Awards, five Nebula awards, the Kafka award, a Pushcart Prize, the Howard Vursell award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the L.A. Times Robert Kirsch Award.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When the young and penniless Mr. Bedford meets an eccentric scientist, Mr. Cavor, who doesn't realize the importance of his own inventions, it seems most fortuitous. Of greatest interest is Cavor's realization that he can create a substance that shields against gravity. Together, they come to the conclusion that, with this new substance, they can make ships to take them to other planets within the solar system. And so, with Cavor dreaming of scientific breakthroughs and Bedford dreaming of wealth, the two build such a ship, and set off for the Moon.
Arriving at the Moon, the two quickly realize what a strange and amazing place it is. During the lunar day, there is a breathable atmosphere on the surface of the Moon, and their investigations soon demonstrate that the Moon is inhabited by a race of intelligent beings. An insectoid race, the Selenites (or "Moonies" as Cavor whimsically dubs them) have a highly-organized caste system much like terrestrial ants. Can our heroes escape from the Selenites and return to Earth? And, what are the long-term affects of this new meeting of societies going to be?
H.G. Wells (1866-1946) is often remembered for his late-nineteenth century science-fiction, including The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The War of the Worlds. This book was first published in 1900, and shows a different side of Wells. Whereas his earlier book were rather preachy, this book is more light-hearted, telling a cracking good story for its own enjoyment, rather than being a vehicle to teach a lesson.
Yep, this is a fun read, and a fascinating sci-fi book. As might be expected from such an old book, the "science" that Wells used is extremely out of date. But, if you are willing to practice a little suspension of disbelief, you will be treated to an excellent story. The story hangs together well with then current science, and shows you science-fiction from an entirely different angle. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What can I say? This is a sci-fi masterpiece, pure and simple. Someone commented when they saw I was reading 'The First Men in the Moon': "What is the point in reading that now, after 1969?" or words to that affect. Completely unperturbed, I finished it and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Even though man has been to the moon, and indeed we plan to go back (and about time, too!), there is plenty of reasons to read this classic and contemplate its content. For example, although it has been proven that the moon is a dead world, this novel could very easily apply to another world - one beyond our solar system. Plus, what would it mean for space travel if an anti-gravity substance like Cavorite were developed? Read it, and draw your own conclusions.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have always prefered to read Jules Verne over H.G.Wells because I prefer Verne's style of writing. I have often considered Wells' writing to be similar to reading a newspaper article. However I have a very different opinion of this great writer having recently read this book, which I have to say is now one of my faviourites of this genre.
I feel that the chracters Wells creates in this book are memorable, and crafted with skill. The plot is thoroughly entertaing, with Wells' ideas about getting to the moon very interesting. The inhabitants of the moon are really original characters in their own right and are unlike creatures that i have previously read about.
If you as a reader can get past the idea that two Englishmen are walking around on the moon without the need for respiratory equipment then you will thoroughly enjoy this book. The descriptions of the moon itself are wonderful and memorable. If you are a fan of early science fiction then you will certainly enjoy this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
classic
A fine book which I very much enjoyed. Wells' portrayal of the Selenites seems to be wrapped up in an ever more relevant piece of social commentary showing a possible path that... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anoosh Falak Rafat
5.0 out of 5 stars
a wonderful Victorian moon fantasy
This is a fine H G Wells novel, as good as the short stories, one of the essential works of the Victorian era. Like Dr Moreau it is beautifully crafted. Read more
Published 6 months ago by DH Dixon
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Sci-fi classic
I've long been a fan of H. G. Wells' writing, but never paid much attention to some of his lesser known works. Read more
Published on 4 April 2011 by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
4.0 out of 5 stars
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON
first men in the moon is a period sci fi book from a writers point of view ,nearly 70 yrs before man actually went to the moon ,so you have to allow for discrepencies such as air... Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2010 by Mr. Sean Mcskeane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Influential speculation
I hadn't heard of this one before and I think it's overlooked, very brilliant thinking and again a reflection on the nature of society. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2010 by Jo Bennie
4.0 out of 5 stars
a narrative of the time
To read such a book written in 1901 is a delight made more so by the contemporary use of English and scientific speculation all bound up into an 'adventure' story. Read more
Published on 29 May 2010 by Clipper 314
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cavor meets the Big Kahuna, oops Grand Lunar
Everybody knows HG Wells is a popular science-fiction writer. Most people know of him through a few of his stories that have been produced as popular movies such as "The Time... Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wells' lunar social commentary
Very good exploration into social questions regarding the division of labour and those fitted to task amongst other psuedo-ploitic theory. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by Abacinated
3.0 out of 5 stars
More for Historians of Sci-Fi
As an example of late Victorian sci-fi, "The First Men in the Moon" has some interesting elements - the scientist as artisan, building a spaceship in his shed; the description of... Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Mr. Ross Maynard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cavorite: better than warp-drive
Herbert George Wells wrote his first book, The Time Machine, in 1895. As a student I was introduced to his eighth book, A History of Mr Polly, and strangely seem to have taken on... Read more
Published on 1 May 2006 by J. Glazer
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