The World of H.G. Wells

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Brooks, Van Wyck, 1886-1963

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The World of H.G. Wells" by Van Wyck Brooks is a critical analysis of the works and philosophies of the influential English writer H.G. Wells, written in the early 20th century. This book delves into the various phases of Wells's career, examining his views on science, socialism, human nature, and individual agency within society. It aims to illuminate Wells's transition from a fantastical storyteller to a humanist thinker who strives to integrate his scientific and socialist ideals with the complexities of human behavior. The opening of this work presents an overview of Wells's literary evolution, noting a significant shift in focus from imaginative adventures (like time travel and extraterrestrial encounters) to a keen interest in the social and psychological implications of human existence. Brooks posits that Wells acknowledges the limitations of pure science and optimism in shaping society and emphasizes the importance of individual will and action. The text suggests that as Wells's career progressed, he became increasingly concerned with how human beings relate to their environment and the potential for both individual and collective transformation, setting the tone for deeper explorations in subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 52.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2013-02-27