The Invisible Man

H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells is one of the fathers of writers in the field of science fiction. Over the years I have read some of his work and seen movies based on his work. Yet I had never read The Invisible Man before now.

Since this book was originally written around the turn of the 20th century, there are no computers, no automobiles, televisions, or even radios. But it is still a story of man's possible future of the time. While the premise of human body invisibility is totally preposterous, Wells makes it believable in this novel.

Griffin was a medical student who changed fields to physics. He had been fascinated with the way things refracted and reflected light. He theorized that if an item was subjected to a certain compound, the item would change its refractive and reflective properties so it could no longer be seen. The physical properties of the item would not change, its weight, shape, physical needs, etc. It only could not be seen.

Griffin tests his theory. Before he is done, he uses the compound on himself and becomes invisible. This is the story of what happens to him then. He becomes self serving, placing himself and his special abilities above anyone and everyone else. The people who discover what he is have a variety of reactions.

While I liked Wells' other work more, I'm glad I finally read this. What an interesting concept! He brings out unexpected reprecussions to the predicament.

After you've read this book, visit . They have an abridged version of this you can read in a minute or less. Great humor!