War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells

Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers. 

Wasn't sure what to expect with this book, it often appears on lists as a 'must read' classic, but after the disappointment of A Clockwork Orange, I didn't want to get my hopes up.

Though it has always been on my to read someday list, it was a suggestion from a friend as the March 2015 read for our bookclub. I also added to my reading challenge list for the year.  My expectations were to find this story quite dated, given the books publishing date of 1898, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Written from a first person perspective of an unnamed philosophical author, the story begins with Book One- The Coming of the Martians.  The Author opens with a description of Mars and of the human ignorance that life, let alone intelligent life, could exist on other planets and a retrospective comparison of nature of (white european) human towards 'lesser beings' and the behaviour of the Martians towards humans.

He is invited to observe Mars with well known astronomer 'Ogilvy' after an initial explosion is seen on Mars.  During this time our narrator witnesses a second explosion on the planets surface, and quickly relinquishes the telescope to his counterpart.  He goes on to explain that there were 10 consecutive nights of these 'eruptions of gas' on the planets surface.

After an unknown amount of time, the first of the 'meteors' crashes to Earth, near the narrators home, though he failed to witness the event, apparently being consumed by his work.  Ogilvy discovers the object in a pit n Horsall Common (1 on the map below), a cylinder with a diameter of approximately 30 yards (about 27.4m)

Map of the area Wells used, along with the approximate locations of Cylinders 1-7

Wells highlights the human curiosity and the quest for knowledge, with the examination of the first cylinder and the surrounding crowds trying to catch a glimpse of what may be inside.  Which ultimately leads to the deaths of the scientists and a significant amount of bystanders at the first crash site.  He also tells of the military involvement from the discovery of the first cylinder.

The narrator tells us a little of his experience over the next few days, delivering his wife into the safety of cousins at Leatherhead, his return to, and subsequent escape from his home town of Woking, before switching to his, also unnamed, brothers account of events in escaping from London.

Book Two: The Earth Under the Martians, begins where the narrator left his own story in the previous book.  Outlining his experiences, hardships and close calls during the weeks hiding from the Martians.  Ending with his discovery of the demise of the alien race and his return to his, still standing home in Woking.

Overall the story was well written, I can see why Wells has been such a prominent figure in classic science fiction.  I was a little disappointed with the ending, even though it is most feasible, it just felt a little abrupt.

Ultimately this classic, while slightly dated, can hold its own amongst more modern Science Fiction.  It's easy to see why there was hysteria around the radio drama in 1938, 40 years after the book was published, the story is very believable, with Wells use of actual locations and references real historical events adding to the realism.  Had it not been for such references to modes of transport, various artillery and monetary values, this story could have taken place at any time in living memory.

I gave War of the Worlds 4/5 stars.