The War of the Worlds

I'm continuing my quest to read the ‘NPR - Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books,' and my next pick was War of the Worlds.

Despite its brevity, I must admit it took me longer than expected to finish, as it unfortunately became quickly ‘boring.' I believe much of the book's success stems from Wells' vision and courage in 1898 when he wrote a book of this nature. However, I can't say it has aged well.

While I haven't read other books by Wells, I can't help but feel that his writing is somewhat ‘basic.' There were numerous repetitions, like the absurd use of the pronoun ‘I' and expressions like ‘to and fro.'

It's not all bad, though. The story is infused with philosophical meanings and morals. At times, the book can be quite beautiful, offering moments for deep reflection. Also, being told in the first person, much of the book feels like we are sitting by a bonfire, listening to Wells tell a ‘scary' story.

However, there are some notable omissions, such as what happened to his cousin and how he was able to find the narrator's wife, but the narrator clearly wanted a happy ending, so there's that.

I feel conflicted about recommending this book. On one hand, it's a classic that must be respected for its achievements and the story it tells. On the other, the writing style and the narrator's way of over describing certain details can easily become old and boring.