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The First Men in the Moon (Penguin Classics)
 
 
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The First Men in the Moon (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

H.G. Wells , Patrick Parrinder , China Mieville , Steven McLean
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
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The First Men in the Moon (Penguin Classics) + The Island of Dr Moreau (Penguin Classics) + The Invisible Man (Penguin Classics)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (31 Mar 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0141441089
  • ISBN-13: 978-0141441085
  • Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 1.7 x 19.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 119,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to the Kent coast to write a play, he meets by chance the brilliant Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist on the brink of developing a material that blocks gravity. Cavor soon succeeds in his experiments, only to tell a stunned Bedford the invention makes possible one of the oldest dreams of humanity: a journey to the moon. With Bedford motivated by money, and Cavor by the desire for knowledge, the two embark on the expedition. But neither are prepared for what they find - a world of freezing nights, boiling days and sinister alien life, on which they may be trapped forever.

About the Author

H.G. Wells was a professional writer and journalist, who published more than a hundred books, including novels, histories, essays and programmes for world regeneration. Wells's prophetic imagination was first displayed in pioneering works of science fiction, but later he became an apostle of socialism, science and progress. His controversial views on sexual equality and the shape of a truly developed nation remain directly relevant to our world today. He was, in Bertrand Russell's words, 'an important liberator of thought and action'.

China Mieville has won the Arthur C. Clarke and British Fantasy Awards for his science fiction.

Patrick Parrinder has written on H.G. Wells, science fiction, James Joyce and the history of the English novel. Since 1986 he has been Professor of English at the University of Reading.

Steven McLean is Secretary of the H.G. Wells Society. He recently completed his PhD on H.G. Wells at the University of Sheffield.


Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
As I sit down to write here amidst the shadows of vine-leaves under the blue sky of southern Italy it comes to me with a certain quality of astonishment that my participation in these amazing adventures of Mr Cavor was, after all, the outcome of the purest accident. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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.

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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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Surprisingly great 24 Nov 2004
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
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 14 months ago by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
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 18 months ago by Mr. Sean Mcskeane
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 19 months ago by Jo Bennie
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
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
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
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
Sadly NOT one of his best Sci-fi novels
Oh dear... this is NOT one of H G Wells' best novels by a long way. Was he clever and ahead of his time to guess of man's travels to the moon? Yes. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2009 by uncle barbar
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
H.G. Wells at his best
The title seems a little strange, but the Moon as imagined by Wells is inhabited by creatures living underground--thus, the title. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2002 by Daniel Jolley
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