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Short stories
1148 pages
A visionary collection of speculative tales that makes the impossible feel utterly plausible.
What it feels like
Reading this collection feels like stepping into the mind of a true visionary, where the boundaries of the possible are constantly expanding. The stories move at a brisk, adventurous pace, blending keen observations of social customs with breathtaking technological foresight. There is a wondrous, speculative mood that permeates the text, as wildly inventive concepts—from early aviation to space travel—are rendered with an enduring literary touch. The prose is scientifically precise yet highly imaginative, grounding the unbelievable in utterly plausible detail. It is an essential experience for readers who delight in foundational science fiction, offering a thought-provoking journey through the boundless inventiveness of a scientific pioneer.
- Mood
- speculative
- wondrous
- thought-provoking
- adventurous
- Tone
- visionary
- inventive
- scientific
- literary
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- technological foresight · scientific exploration · social customs · the bounds of plausibility
- The writing
- Enduringly literary yet scientifically precise, anchoring wildly inventive concepts in utterly plausible detail.
- The arc
- The reader journeys from familiar social realities into breathtaking, visionary futures that feel startlingly within reach.
- Who it's for
- Devotees of foundational science fiction who crave imaginative, action-packed stories grounded in scientific curiosity.
About the book
"Wells envisioned a sky filled with airplanes before Orville Wright ever left the ground. He described the spectacle of space travel decades before men set foot on the moon. H.G. Wells was a visionary, a man of science with an enduring literary touch." "Ursula K. Le Guin's selection of twenty-six stories showcases Wells's genius and reintroduces readers to his singular talent for making the unbelievable seem utterly plausible. His originality and inventiveness are fully on display in this essential collection."--Jacket.
Description from Open Library.
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