Rupert Owen reviewed Men Like Gods by H. G. Wells
Review of 'Men Like Gods' on 'GoodReads'
4 stars
A fine novel presenting a mirrored view of humanity through the reflection of an ideal world. In this book Wells pits his earthly characters as infectious agents in an advanced civilisation that has itself progressed beyond what they refer to as 'The Age of Confusion", this age of confusion is a reference to earthly politics, social moors, sex, religion, education, industrialisation, and capitalism, to name a few of the more discussed references in the novel. In my opinion this world presented by Wells is not a socialistic or communistic simulacrum, as these concepts are also critiqued towards the end of the story. I think the underlying theme is colonisation - not unlike what tribal communities experienced with missionaries attempting to civilise them through religion. Wells writes, 'Man was no longer crippled and compelled; it was recognised that he was fundamentally an animal and that his daily life must follow the …
A fine novel presenting a mirrored view of humanity through the reflection of an ideal world. In this book Wells pits his earthly characters as infectious agents in an advanced civilisation that has itself progressed beyond what they refer to as 'The Age of Confusion", this age of confusion is a reference to earthly politics, social moors, sex, religion, education, industrialisation, and capitalism, to name a few of the more discussed references in the novel. In my opinion this world presented by Wells is not a socialistic or communistic simulacrum, as these concepts are also critiqued towards the end of the story. I think the underlying theme is colonisation - not unlike what tribal communities experienced with missionaries attempting to civilise them through religion. Wells writes, 'Man was no longer crippled and compelled; it was recognised that he was fundamentally an animal and that his daily life must follow the round of appetites satisfied and instincts released. The daily texture of Utopian life was woven of various and interesting foods and drinks, of free entertaining exercise and work, of sweet sleep and of the interest and happiness of fearless and spiteless lovemaking.' Mr. Barnstaple whose spontaneous need to 'get away from it all' becomes a literal adventure into his own idealistic world. The story is a blend of action, adventure, social and political commentary, with a science fiction plot. All in all it's a tidy tale, with some astute observations on the crudeness of humanity. There are some fine witty moments with Mr. Barnstaple's interactions with his fellow human travellers, (as more then one earthling enters Utopia), especially to do with a very irritating priest.
