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H. G. Wells: The War of the Worlds (Paperback, 2002, Modern Library)

When an army of invading Martians lands in England, panic and terror seize the population. …

A nigh-unbelievable prediction of technological and scientific advancement.

As at lib.reviews/review/b852de8f-8c5b-4338-8ae6-4fefc8d6496e:

That this novel was serialised in 1897 remains difficult to believe, because, for an author to possess such accurate knowledge of the effects of compromised immunology, and predict:

  • that the circuit would replace the wheel, in driving machinery, and

  • that the laser would exist

…and utilise these as the fundamental premise of the story is impressive beyond belief. Even irrespective of this, to script a mesmeric novel requires consistent, correct pace, which this novel does. However, even more impressively, to create such a novel about a Victorian alien invasion, without it appearing contrived – or hopelessly… hopeless – requires serious consideration for the weakness of what should be whatsoever weak. Yet, he, a Victorian, achieved this, and being an educated, Victorian Englishman, communicated it perfectly.