Review: The War of the Worlds

That this novel was serialised in 1897 remains difficult to believe, because, for an author to possess such accurate knowledge of the effects of compromised immunology, and predict:

• that the circuit would replace the wheel, in driving machinery, and

• that the laser would exist

…and utilise these as the fundamental premise of the story is impressive beyond belief. Even irrespective of this, to script a mesmeric novel requires consistent, correct pace, which this novel does. However, even more impressively, to create such a novel about a Victorian alien invasion, without it appearing contrived – or hopelessly… hopeless – requires serious consideration for the weakness of what should be whatsoever weak. Yet, he, a Victorian, achieved this, and being an educated, Victorian Englishman, communicated it perfectly.