The Early Fiction of H.G. Wells: Fantasies of Science

ISBN-13: 9780230535626 / Angielski / Twarda / 2009 / 242 str.

Steven McLean

Opis

This text explores the relationship between H.G. Wells's scientific romances and the discourses of science in the 1890s and early years of the 20th century. It investigates how Wells utilizes his early fiction to participate in a range of topical scientific disputes.

Recenzje

'Admirably free of jargon or gobbledegook, the book is written in an engaging, articulate and fluent style that makes it a pleasure to read...a handsome and well bound volume...comprehensive and scholarly, yet at the same highly readable. Any student embarking on a study of the scientific romances will find it invaluable.' - The Wells Newsletter

Spis treści

Contents Acknowledgements Introduction PART I: MISADVENTURES IN A POST-DARWINIAN UNIVERSE Heart of Darkness: The Time Machine and Retrogression 'An Infernally Rum Place': The Island of Doctor Moreau and Degeneration PART II: SCIENCE AND SOCIETY Science Behind the Blinds: Scientist and Society in The Invisible Man The Descent of Mars: Evolution and Ethics in The War of the Worlds PART III: TOWARDS THE SHAPING OF HUMANITY 'Science is a Match that Man has Just Got Alight': Science and Social Organisation in The First Men in the Moon The Limits of a Sociological Holiday: Social Progress in A Modern Utopia Conclusion Bibliography Index

O autorze

BERGONZI; The Early H.G.Wells: A Study of the Scientific Romances; Prentice Hall, 1976; Classic study but not updated and now out of print PARRINDER; Shadows of the Future: H.G.Wells, Science and Prophecy; Syracuse UP, 1996; Different focus from our book, looking particularly at science fiction and prophecy where our book focuses on the links between Wells's works and contemporary scientific debates WAGAR; H.G.Wells: Traversing Time; Wesleyan University Press, 2004 (new ed); More general account of Wells's life and works - does not look in depth at wider relationship with science HAYNES; H.G.Wells : Discoverer of the Future: The Influence of Science on his Thought; New York UP, 1980; Examines science throughout Wells's life but not as specific or detailed as our book