Book info

• Title The First Men in the Moon
• Author H. G. Wells
• Year 1901
• Genre Science Fiction

When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to the Kent coast to write a play, he meets by chance the brilliant Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist on the brink of developing a material that blocks gravity. Cavor soon succeeds in his experiments, only to tell a stunned Bedford the invention makes possible one of the oldest dreams of humanity: a journey to the moon. With Bedford motivated by money, and Cavor by the desire for knowledge, the two embark on the expedition. But neither are prepared for what they find - a world of freezing nights, boiling days and sinister alien life, on which they may be trapped forever.

Thoughts

This is an interesting book, HG Wells is such a legendary writer with such a great imagination for his time. I loved the description of how this adventure came to be - a chance meeting with a grumpy scientist, an explosion, a decision to fly to the moon and the instant regrets that come with it. The creatures on the moon are pretty far-fetched but still a fun adventure. I wasn’t so keen on all the post-script type stuff. Once home, then we hear lots of details about what we missed. But still, a great read.

Rating: 3 / 5