It's only fair to include James's response to Wells.
'It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance, for our consideration and application of those things, and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of the process.'
I haven't read enough of either author to have an opinion on their relative literary merit, but James is right about that, at the very least.
> His [Wells'] novels are not social novels at all.
The science fiction novels for which Wells is best known form a small part of his fiction output, and are from early in his career. Most of his ca. 50 novels are "social", propagandistic and dull, and known mostly to literature professors.
As for Wells' non-fiction work, all I can say is don't confuse "opinionated" with "knowledgeable". Wells was a prolific writer but not a careful scholar. He was at one point failed out of college.
Wells was way above James in quality, prolific output and wide ranging genres, from sci-fi to history, fiction and social reform - his life story is worth studying carefully. His work even led towards the atomic bomb and statute of human rights.
In particular, his _Outline of History_ is well worth reading for its examination of how the commons (in terms of common pastural areas and so forth shared by a community) were eroded away by the newfangled notion of individual property.
It's on Project Gutenberge, and the Librivox recording may be workable depending on your tolerance for voices and background noise.
Though it's worth noting that the authorship of that text is challenged/potentially problematic --- look up Florence Deeks' copyright challenge.
He also wrote a fascinating biology textbook (“The Science of Life”, with two co-authors) and a book about the economy entitled “The Work, Wealth, and Happiness of Mankind”. His nonfiction work deserves as much attention as his fiction, it is excellent.
I have a copy of the Outline of History, now I will look for the Librivox recording. In his Autobiography he discusses Florence Deeks' copyright challenge. He was rather frustrated by the challenge. Apparently she made several claims against others too.
I'd kind of like to see a comparison of her submitted manuscript and his (and more information on her other copyright challenges and how they turned out) --- something to look up some time.
Absolutely everyone should read "The Time Machine." If you prefer, then an unabridged audiobook is great, I recommend putting in the effort to find a reading by Simon Vance. (It isn't a long book.)
The first paragraph of The Time Machine, is one of the best introductory paragraphs ever written (in my opinion, obviously.)
One relishes the imagery it reveals, as you read it, like a great main course of a fine meal - with delight, flavour and a promise of more.
"The first paragraph of The Time Machine, is one of the best introductory paragraphs ever written (in my opinion, obviously.) One relishes the imagery it reveals, as you read it, like a great main course of a fine meal - with delight, flavour and a promise of more."
It's only fair to include James's response to Wells.
'It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance, for our consideration and application of those things, and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of the process.'
I haven't read enough of either author to have an opinion on their relative literary merit, but James is right about that, at the very least.
> His [Wells'] novels are not social novels at all.
The science fiction novels for which Wells is best known form a small part of his fiction output, and are from early in his career. Most of his ca. 50 novels are "social", propagandistic and dull, and known mostly to literature professors.
As for Wells' non-fiction work, all I can say is don't confuse "opinionated" with "knowledgeable". Wells was a prolific writer but not a careful scholar. He was at one point failed out of college.
Wells was way above James in quality, prolific output and wide ranging genres, from sci-fi to history, fiction and social reform - his life story is worth studying carefully. His work even led towards the atomic bomb and statute of human rights.
Dream boldly and build responsibly - https://onepercentrule.substack.com/p/hg-wells-dream-boldly-...
In particular, his _Outline of History_ is well worth reading for its examination of how the commons (in terms of common pastural areas and so forth shared by a community) were eroded away by the newfangled notion of individual property.
It's on Project Gutenberge, and the Librivox recording may be workable depending on your tolerance for voices and background noise.
Though it's worth noting that the authorship of that text is challenged/potentially problematic --- look up Florence Deeks' copyright challenge.
He also wrote a fascinating biology textbook (“The Science of Life”, with two co-authors) and a book about the economy entitled “The Work, Wealth, and Happiness of Mankind”. His nonfiction work deserves as much attention as his fiction, it is excellent.
I have a copy of the Outline of History, now I will look for the Librivox recording. In his Autobiography he discusses Florence Deeks' copyright challenge. He was rather frustrated by the challenge. Apparently she made several claims against others too.
Not sure why he would be frustrated since he won.
I'd kind of like to see a comparison of her submitted manuscript and his (and more information on her other copyright challenges and how they turned out) --- something to look up some time.
James is a master, there is no doubt. But I'm convinced to now check out Wells who I somehow haven't read anything of!
Absolutely everyone should read "The Time Machine." If you prefer, then an unabridged audiobook is great, I recommend putting in the effort to find a reading by Simon Vance. (It isn't a long book.) The first paragraph of The Time Machine, is one of the best introductory paragraphs ever written (in my opinion, obviously.) One relishes the imagery it reveals, as you read it, like a great main course of a fine meal - with delight, flavour and a promise of more.
"The first paragraph of The Time Machine, is one of the best introductory paragraphs ever written (in my opinion, obviously.) One relishes the imagery it reveals, as you read it, like a great main course of a fine meal - with delight, flavour and a promise of more."
Beautifully put - I will look for Vance's reading
If you just want to dip in then I can heartily recommend Wells’ short stories, of which he wrote a bunch. Standard Ebooks has a nice edition for free: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-g-wells/short-fiction
Super, thank you
Interesting. Rexroth to his credit wasn't a terrible poet.