Book Review: The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Introduction:

Recently, I got craze to read fiction stories. So, my friend advised me to read all time famous fiction story “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells. It’s the classic fiction written in 1897. This is a thriller science fiction based movie that makes its reader enjoy the fantasies. This story has a theoretical start, where a scientist invents a way to get invisible. He tried to change his body's refractive index so that it neither absorbs nor reflects light and thus he became invisible but fails to reverse it. His title was Griffin who became an iconic character in horror fiction.

Without any further delay, let’s review the book;

Summary:

The writer narrated the story in a very dramatic way as it starts in the town of Iping in pre-industrial England. We can see a stranger covered in bandages and wearing some weird blue shades rents a room at a pub owned by George and Janny Hall. He had excess luggage that contained numerous bottles of potions and for that he told Mrs Hall that he was a experimental investigator even though Mrs. Hall witnessed some weird sights related to the stranger yet she said nothing because she was in need of money. The story takes a turn when one evening, someone robbed the town vicar and his wife. This all happened in a very strange manner that they couldn't see anyone, all they were able to notice was the things moving on its own and the strange sound of coughing and sneezing. Since, "Griffin" was the only strange character, police went there to arrest him for investigation. He suddenly wiggled out of his clothes and became invisible to escape.

After escaping, he encountered with a man named Marvel on the road. He thought to use him getting back his basics i.e. clothing and other necessities. He tried to threat Marvel and used him for his own good. He used him for keeping his things and money and everything he desired was kept by Marvel. One day, Marvel escaped and got into police lock up, where the invisible man couldn't reach him. But when he got back, the invisible man chased him to the house of an old college contact named Kemp. He told Kemp his entire exploits in detail, that his name was Griffin and how he got invisible and for which he had to stole the borrowed money of his father. Which lead his father to commit suicide as he wasn't able to return the money. He told him how painful it was to get invisible and after getting invisible, what were the downsides. He had to move naked to stay invisible and even the undigested food in his stomach sometimes was seen by people. He was also seen making footprints and people sometimes tried to chase him as well. He told him that he had to buy a costume to get back and than rented a room from the Halls and when the people discovered his secret, he had to run once again.

Kemp was greatly struck by the man's madness, cruelty and selfishness. While he seemed to be unconcerned about the people he hurt. Griffin that further revealed his plans to dominate the people of Kemp’s town, Port Burdock and invited Kemp to join him. Little did he know that Kemp has already called police. When police arrived, Griffin tried to escape and began his reign of terror. He than attached several people and left Kemp a note and threatened him and his town. Once he came after Kemp, townspeople and Kemp himself catch and kill Griffin and As he died, the invisibility of Griffin disappeared and he became visible once again.

what happened to Marvel, the epilogue revealed it all. It was told that all the stolen money of Griffin was kept by Marvel. He also secretly kept all the Griffin’s journals and his records of his experiments. He also vowed that no one else will ever know about them until his death.

My Review:

Some of us may wish to get invisible at times but what if this actually happens? Will it be a blessing or a curse?

The invisible man touches the same thought and Mr. H.G Wells has explained that in a very dramatic way. Though he has focused more on negatives. H.G. Well made a good job by creating an insane character like Griffin and his reflective nature. I found this story really funny and interesting at the same time. Its basically a story of insane character, who eventually becomes a psychopath. I found this story spine-tingling and interesting and would rate it 3/5 as it has focused on one side and has left people wondered with what ifs?