Sunday 7 May 2017

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (My Goodreads Review)

The War of the WorldsThe War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Britain in the Victorian age at the height of Empire. Then the whole show is reduced to an apocalyptic landscape as huge Martian tripods drop in to spoil the party. Giant tripods stalk the Earth killing and destroying everything in their paths. Is humanity doomed? It appears so as we follow the exploits of a journalist in one part of the story and his brother's report in another. Great story of its time and still able to delight to this day.

I enjoyed the way the author visualised the breakdown of civilisation as the mass exodus of humanity began to abandon London and make for the sea ports to escape the country. One part of the story depicts a paddle steamer packed with refugees trying to escape from Maldon in Essex. Three huge Martian tripods wade into the River Blackwater after the fleeing steamer. An ironclad close by sounds its klaxon and cruises towards the alien monstrosities and gets up close before blazing away with her guns.

Splendid stuff!

C.A. Powell
The Last Days of Thunder Child


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