The Invisible Man
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3.6 • 32 Ratings
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Publisher Description
An Apple Books Classic edition.
“Alone-it is wonderful how little a man can do alone! To rob a little, to hurt a little, and there is the end.” What would you do if you were became invisible? Would you use that power for good, or would you become consumed with the freedom it afforded you? Griffin, the antihero of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, definitely belongs to the latter school of thought. A misunderstood genius with albinism, Griffin has suffered taunts and isolation his whole life. As he descends into madness, his plans become far darker than simple revenge on those who have wronged him.
In addition to this creepy novel, H.G. Wells-who is widely seen as the father of science fiction-also wrote The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, and The Island of Doctor Moreau;. Besides killer plots, his work provides chilling insight on human nature. The Invisible Manis a story about cruelty, curiosity, and unfettered power. Read it-and you’ll immediately notice its inescapable influence on modern literature, movies, and comic books.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Spoiler alert: H. G. Wells’ science fiction classic really is about an invisible man. Written in 1897 as scientific progress and new inventions were revolutionizing the world, Wells’ novel still carries a palpable sense of wonder, amazement, and fear. We jump into the story feet-first from the opening page: The mysterious scientist Griffin is already invisible when we meet him and his horrifying backstory isn’t revealed until we’re almost halfway through his terrifying descent into insanity. Much more so than Mary Shelley’s earlier mad-scientist classic, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man feels modern and contemporary. Wells’ fundamental point—that technological progress inevitably comes with dangerous unintended consequences—is still something we’re grappling with well over a century later. We suspect this novel will forever feel unnerving and timely.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Actor Griffin adds to the mysterious atmosphere of this classic work of science fiction originally published in 1897. In his cultured British accent, he carries listeners through the trials and tribulations of Wells's creation, a mad scientist (also named Griffin) who does research into optical refraction until he finds a formula that makes him invisible a state he mistakenly believes will provide him with fame and fortune. Actor Griffin makes palpable the profound panic of the scientist, who is unable to find a formula to reverse his invisibility. He provides fine cockney accents for innkeepers Jenny and George Hall, which adds color and authenticity to the performance. Listeners will be immersed in the struggle of local scientists, doctors, and police to apprehend a man they cannot see.
Customer Reviews
Long and Short
The book felt both long and short. It often felt the responsibility to flesh out benign details to emphasize a story of the vivid loss of detail in its entirety. However it gets to the short in its entirety and point, the misunderstanding of oneself in the broader society and of course the hidden and often misunderstood genius trope. Despite this, the focus of the book is not the invisible man despite him in large part being the only thing in chapters (but also not technically!), but rather commentary on who really shows a lack of empathy and care towards the human condition of suffering.