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A Slip Under the Microscope
'I will go in, out of this dust and heat, out of this dry glitter of vanity, out of these toilsome futilities. I will go and never return.'
Three disturbing, mysterious and moving stories from Wells, science-fiction pioneer.
Introducing Little Black 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
H. G. Wells (1866-1946). Wells's works available in Penguin Classics are Ann Veronica, The Country of the Blind and Other Selected Stories, The First Men in the Moon, The Invisible Man, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Kipps, Love and Mr Lewisham, A Modern Utopia, The New Machiavelli, The Shape of Things to Come, A Short History of the World, The Sleeper Awakes, The Time Machine, Tono-Bungay, The War in the Air and The War of the Worlds.
Three disturbing, mysterious and moving stories from Wells, science-fiction pioneer.
Introducing Little Black 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
H. G. Wells (1866-1946). Wells's works available in Penguin Classics are Ann Veronica, The Country of the Blind and Other Selected Stories, The First Men in the Moon, The Invisible Man, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Kipps, Love and Mr Lewisham, A Modern Utopia, The New Machiavelli, The Shape of Things to Come, A Short History of the World, The Sleeper Awakes, The Time Machine, Tono-Bungay, The War in the Air and The War of the Worlds.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1896
29 people are currently reading
1624 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,357 books11.1k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
February 15, 2016
This was a very poor edition, and a very poor introduction to the author. These two short stories barely contain any elements of science fiction. They are, quite frankly, just not that good. I will, however, be reading more of this writer’s work in the future, but not because of my experience with this edition. It would have been more appropriate for this to have been one of his more famous science fiction short stories that way reader will be introduced to what he does best.
Should he have told the truth?
The story for which this edition was named was a little hard to decipher. It is, essentially, about a student who accidently cheats in a practical biology exam; he then comes clean, to his professor, and as a consequence loses his place in the field of science. He doesn’t feel better after his confession and, if anything, feels decidedly worse. So, the only real message I can take from this story is: don’t be honest because it will ruin your life. This is not what I’d consider a worthy didactical message because it’s not, strictly speaking, true.
I’m just not sure what H.G Wells was trying to get at with this underlined meaning. I considered that perhaps he was trying to suggest that sometimes lies are necessary in life, but I found this somewhat redundant because one would never know the consequences of honesty. What I mean is had it been a different professor he may have responded in a different way. He may simply have patted the student on the shoulder and forgiven him with the viewpoint that accidents can, and do, happen. So the idea behind this, to me, seemed flawed because there is just no telling the consequences of either lying or being honest to someone.
I didn’t get on with this edition, but I do look forward to reading some of the author’s sci-fi novels, which I’ve had on my bookshelf for a while now. Overall, I think these stories were quite poor, though they did make me question the value of honesty, a little.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 77
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
Should he have told the truth?
The story for which this edition was named was a little hard to decipher. It is, essentially, about a student who accidently cheats in a practical biology exam; he then comes clean, to his professor, and as a consequence loses his place in the field of science. He doesn’t feel better after his confession and, if anything, feels decidedly worse. So, the only real message I can take from this story is: don’t be honest because it will ruin your life. This is not what I’d consider a worthy didactical message because it’s not, strictly speaking, true.
I’m just not sure what H.G Wells was trying to get at with this underlined meaning. I considered that perhaps he was trying to suggest that sometimes lies are necessary in life, but I found this somewhat redundant because one would never know the consequences of honesty. What I mean is had it been a different professor he may have responded in a different way. He may simply have patted the student on the shoulder and forgiven him with the viewpoint that accidents can, and do, happen. So the idea behind this, to me, seemed flawed because there is just no telling the consequences of either lying or being honest to someone.
I didn’t get on with this edition, but I do look forward to reading some of the author’s sci-fi novels, which I’ve had on my bookshelf for a while now. Overall, I think these stories were quite poor, though they did make me question the value of honesty, a little.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 77
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
January 24, 2017
What a pleasure it was reading these two shorts from the great H. G. Wells. Now why are so many reviewers crying, wailing and gnashing their teeth because they are not science fiction stories.
SHUT UP AND ENJOY!
Mr. Wells was a great writer of many styles of fiction and non-fiction, for once we have a little black book that has got the selection to an agreeable fine art by introducing Mr. Wells through some of his lesser known works.
BRAVO MY LITTLE PENGUINS! Waddle along in the arctic snow and be proud.
Two yes two very diverse stories from the mighty pen of H. G. Wells, far better than most of the dribble that came out last year.
Right now I am sticking my tongue out to the grumpy people... yahboo sucks to you!
SHUT UP AND ENJOY!
Mr. Wells was a great writer of many styles of fiction and non-fiction, for once we have a little black book that has got the selection to an agreeable fine art by introducing Mr. Wells through some of his lesser known works.
BRAVO MY LITTLE PENGUINS! Waddle along in the arctic snow and be proud.
Two yes two very diverse stories from the mighty pen of H. G. Wells, far better than most of the dribble that came out last year.
Right now I am sticking my tongue out to the grumpy people... yahboo sucks to you!
January 9, 2018
'I will go in, out of this dust and heat,out of this dry glitter of vanity, out of these toilsome futilities.
I will go and never return.'
Two of the best though provoking tales by the maestro - it still entices and intrigues me did he found the green door in the white wall and just left as he always wanted to - so beautifully intervened braid of human psychology and the purpose of desire and afterlife or simply a pity on human existence.
What is righteousness and what is its importance - there is always that figure like Wedderbrun in our life and self love should be above all-he goes home-Will and his career ends and he is a cobbler again!! What is self righteousness if you cannot save yourself for the harsh world.
I do believe its not a H.G.Well famous science fiction and doesn't even give a glimpse of the work he is renowned for !! But in itself is simply brilliant and intriguing.
A slip under the microscope - those who have read it !! please do answer me ?
*Spoiler*
Wedderburn cheated too - didn't he !!?
I will go and never return.'
Two of the best though provoking tales by the maestro - it still entices and intrigues me did he found the green door in the white wall and just left as he always wanted to - so beautifully intervened braid of human psychology and the purpose of desire and afterlife or simply a pity on human existence.
What is righteousness and what is its importance - there is always that figure like Wedderbrun in our life and self love should be above all-he goes home-Will and his career ends and he is a cobbler again!! What is self righteousness if you cannot save yourself for the harsh world.
I do believe its not a H.G.Well famous science fiction and doesn't even give a glimpse of the work he is renowned for !! But in itself is simply brilliant and intriguing.
A slip under the microscope - those who have read it !! please do answer me ?
*Spoiler*
Wedderburn cheated too - didn't he !!?
April 6, 2015
I prefered 'The Door in the Wall' to 'A Slip under the Microscope' but both were rather lovely; about obligation, regret, and anguish.
September 1, 2018
I don't doubt that H.G. Wells is an influential writer who has had a massive impact on how the landscape of science fiction evolved over the years, but mainly because of that this was not a very good introduction to his work, which barely contained ideas he is now renowned for.
This Little Black Classic contains two short stories which are, speaking frankly, not of enormous interest. A Slip under the Microscope is about a student who ends up cheating in a biology exam and eventually suffers the consequences of his deceptive behavior. The Door in the Wall starts off with an intriguing kind of mystery, telling the story of a man who found a secret door leading to a magical place in his childhood, but then just ends up being a bit ... dull.
Both stories are symbolic and if you spend enough time thinking about them, you come across deeper ideas represented in them - there are ideas of regret and integrity running through the narratives. But neither story really left me with a feeling of having something to ponder about or really getting down to the nitty gritty core of what they were (potentially) trying to say. I don't know, I would like to read more of Wells' work in the future, but this wasn't really for me.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
This Little Black Classic contains two short stories which are, speaking frankly, not of enormous interest. A Slip under the Microscope is about a student who ends up cheating in a biology exam and eventually suffers the consequences of his deceptive behavior. The Door in the Wall starts off with an intriguing kind of mystery, telling the story of a man who found a secret door leading to a magical place in his childhood, but then just ends up being a bit ... dull.
Both stories are symbolic and if you spend enough time thinking about them, you come across deeper ideas represented in them - there are ideas of regret and integrity running through the narratives. But neither story really left me with a feeling of having something to ponder about or really getting down to the nitty gritty core of what they were (potentially) trying to say. I don't know, I would like to read more of Wells' work in the future, but this wasn't really for me.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
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February 4, 2017
Disappointing in truth, but still very enjoyable. Wells is mostly known as being a early Science Fiction writer, and I was expecting two stories of early 20th Century sci-fi to come bounding out of the pages, but all we have are normal stories, one of which perhaps has a fantastical edge to it. Written well, as one would expect, but wholly not what you'd want from it.
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January 14, 2023
Two short stories by Wells, neither really Science Fiction but both with a dream-like quality to them. I preferred "The Door in The Wall", and didn't fully understand the second one. I once read "The Invisible Man" ages ago, but I'm curious now to read more by him.
November 7, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Over the summer I've collected all the Little Black Classics that were published by Penguin to celebrate their 80th birthday! Every now and then I'm reading one of them, and my reviews are mostly some thoughts about each of the books.
I only knew H.G. Wells from his science fiction stories, and then only what I've heard about them. At this point I haven't read any of them. I was a little bit surprised when I was reading this booklet and the two stories featured are no science fiction, the latter which is also the title story doesn't even have any mystery element to it. This said, I didn't think they were bad stories, just not what I had expected from it.
Will I try something else from this author? I'm certainly planning to, but I think I will go for some of the more famous stories next.
Over the summer I've collected all the Little Black Classics that were published by Penguin to celebrate their 80th birthday! Every now and then I'm reading one of them, and my reviews are mostly some thoughts about each of the books.
I only knew H.G. Wells from his science fiction stories, and then only what I've heard about them. At this point I haven't read any of them. I was a little bit surprised when I was reading this booklet and the two stories featured are no science fiction, the latter which is also the title story doesn't even have any mystery element to it. This said, I didn't think they were bad stories, just not what I had expected from it.
Will I try something else from this author? I'm certainly planning to, but I think I will go for some of the more famous stories next.
July 3, 2017
I knew H.G. Wells had an imagination as well as a love of history i.e. 'Outline of History'. But these two stories showed he has a talent as a real writer of the psychological subtlety the lurks behind the human condition.
August 1, 2024
Dette er det første jeg har lest av HG Wells (jeg så en tv-serie en gang hvor han ble spilt av Freddie Stroma og møtte Jack the Ripper og de jakta på hverandre i nåtidens usa av en eller annen grunn), og det ga mersmak. I denne lille boka er det to noveller. Jeg liker hvor beskrivende han er, begge novellene er ganske «treige» fordi han bruker mye tid på å beskrive. Han gjør dette veldig godt. De er også ganske humoristiske. Jeg har på en måte tenkt at jeg burde lese HG Wells fordi han har så mange ikoniske verk, men nå fikk jeg Lyst til å lese mer av han. Så det er jo fint!
March 10, 2019
Divi savādi stāstiņi nudien. Sāku lasīt, jo cerēju atrast kaut ko no ZF, nav gan.
Mans pēcstāstu secinājums: liela daļa cilvēku problēmu bieži vien ir no pašu iedomām.
Mans pēcstāstu secinājums: liela daļa cilvēku problēmu bieži vien ir no pašu iedomām.
May 11, 2015
και άνετο 5*/5 στην πρώτη από τις 2 ιστορίες
September 16, 2015
2.5 stars.
The Penguin Little Black Classics are a collection that I view, for the most part, as an excellent way to be introduced to an author's writing if you're wary about picking up a whole book or collection.
I have already previously read four H.G. Wells books, and I have to say that this little collection is not a good introduction to him as an author. There is essentially no science fiction elements in either of the two stories within this collection, and unfortunately the stories aren't all that interesting.
I preferred A Slip Under the Microscope - it's a story that follows a young man called Hill who becomes obsessed with becoming the best student in his class and beating his rival to obtain the heart of the girl he likes. However, he comes across a moral conundrum in the process. I enjoyed the observation of human desire and competitiveness, but overall I wouldn't say this was an amazing story or anything. (3 stars)
The Door in the Wall unfortunately didn't hold my interest. It had some mild fantastical elements, but overall dealt with a character's misery and regret at not grabbing opportunities that had presented themselves to him throughout his life. It shows the sacrifice of choosing what you feel will benefit your life over what you feel will benefit your heart and soul. I just found it a little dull however, and didn't really like the way the story was narrated. (2 stars)
Honestly? Just pick up The Island of Doctor Moreau. Seriously, it's way better.
The Penguin Little Black Classics are a collection that I view, for the most part, as an excellent way to be introduced to an author's writing if you're wary about picking up a whole book or collection.
I have already previously read four H.G. Wells books, and I have to say that this little collection is not a good introduction to him as an author. There is essentially no science fiction elements in either of the two stories within this collection, and unfortunately the stories aren't all that interesting.
I preferred A Slip Under the Microscope - it's a story that follows a young man called Hill who becomes obsessed with becoming the best student in his class and beating his rival to obtain the heart of the girl he likes. However, he comes across a moral conundrum in the process. I enjoyed the observation of human desire and competitiveness, but overall I wouldn't say this was an amazing story or anything. (3 stars)
The Door in the Wall unfortunately didn't hold my interest. It had some mild fantastical elements, but overall dealt with a character's misery and regret at not grabbing opportunities that had presented themselves to him throughout his life. It shows the sacrifice of choosing what you feel will benefit your life over what you feel will benefit your heart and soul. I just found it a little dull however, and didn't really like the way the story was narrated. (2 stars)
Honestly? Just pick up The Island of Doctor Moreau. Seriously, it's way better.
June 15, 2015
The title is incrediby misleading as there are two short stories is this little book, and the title doesn't come from the better of the two. Both are interesting and wonderfully written, but the first has more movement to it, which makes it slightly easier to get through.
December 22, 2016
The two stories - The Door in the Wall & A Slip under the Microscope - were actually pretty fun, short reads, but unfortunately not nearly as well written or as mind blowing as The Time Machine. Sorry Wells <3
May 27, 2015
Quite enjoyed both stories, but preferred "The Door in The Wall".
January 22, 2016
Both stories were good, but very short and I was hoping for more science fiction elements.
December 4, 2024
I honestly picked this up because, as a labrat myself, the title intrigued me. However, I really fell in love with the other story in this book (The Door in the Wall). What a beautiful story!!
I have to admit that I have never read H.G. Wells before and I usually don’t read Science Fiction so I am not as bothered by these two stories not being SF as some other reviewers seem to be. Based on these books I am definitely inclined to read more H.G. Wells, I thought his writing was wonderful and, especially in The Door in the Wall, I liked the thought-provoking endings. I look forward to read more by H.G. Wells!
The Door in the Wall - 5/5
Man, I was surprised by how much I loved this story, it might be one of my favorite short stories now. The overall plot reminded me a bit of a Studio Ghibli movie (though perhaps a bit darker than Ghibli) but also faintly of the game What Remains of Edith Finch, though I couldn’t exactly tell you why… It paints a harsh contrast between the the beautiful fantasies we imagined as children and the, often, gray and predictable lives required from us to get by in society. I really resonate with this story as someone who struggles with nostalgia and who often takes a detour down memory lane to reconnect with my childhood.
Also, I really liked how the main character interacted with the narrator!! The narrator is in the background of the story but the way the main character pulls him into it is nicely done. For example, our narrator says something along the lines of ‘I asked him an obvious question.’ And then based on the answer of the main character we can fill in the question ourselves.
And then the ending, wow!
A Slip Under the Microscope - 3.5/5
Compared to the first story, I enjoyed this one a little less. It felt a little bit disconnected throughout but I feel like it came together in the end. Also, I am currently reading Babel and this story reminds me a lot of it (though I am not even halfway through Babel yet).
I could relate to the main character in some ways as I also overthink a lot and I also crave a clean moral slate, even if there is no way anyone but me would ever know. SPOILERS: I know some people may find the MC stupid for admitting to ‘cheating’ but I get him. Wouldn’t it be hypocritical to expect others to act morally but not hold ourselves accountable just the same? Also, Wedderburn definitely also cheated, based on his reaction, lol.
I have to admit that I have never read H.G. Wells before and I usually don’t read Science Fiction so I am not as bothered by these two stories not being SF as some other reviewers seem to be. Based on these books I am definitely inclined to read more H.G. Wells, I thought his writing was wonderful and, especially in The Door in the Wall, I liked the thought-provoking endings. I look forward to read more by H.G. Wells!
The Door in the Wall - 5/5
Man, I was surprised by how much I loved this story, it might be one of my favorite short stories now. The overall plot reminded me a bit of a Studio Ghibli movie (though perhaps a bit darker than Ghibli) but also faintly of the game What Remains of Edith Finch, though I couldn’t exactly tell you why… It paints a harsh contrast between the the beautiful fantasies we imagined as children and the, often, gray and predictable lives required from us to get by in society. I really resonate with this story as someone who struggles with nostalgia and who often takes a detour down memory lane to reconnect with my childhood.
Also, I really liked how the main character interacted with the narrator!! The narrator is in the background of the story but the way the main character pulls him into it is nicely done. For example, our narrator says something along the lines of ‘I asked him an obvious question.’ And then based on the answer of the main character we can fill in the question ourselves.
And then the ending, wow!
A Slip Under the Microscope - 3.5/5
Compared to the first story, I enjoyed this one a little less. It felt a little bit disconnected throughout but I feel like it came together in the end. Also, I am currently reading Babel and this story reminds me a lot of it (though I am not even halfway through Babel yet).
I could relate to the main character in some ways as I also overthink a lot and I also crave a clean moral slate, even if there is no way anyone but me would ever know. SPOILERS: I know some people may find the MC stupid for admitting to ‘cheating’ but I get him. Wouldn’t it be hypocritical to expect others to act morally but not hold ourselves accountable just the same? Also, Wedderburn definitely also cheated, based on his reaction, lol.
January 8, 2019
Out of the two short stories, the titular one "A Slip under the Microscope" was perfect fine. However, the other short story, "The Door in the Wall" was fantastic, meriting 4 stars for the little book.
April 2, 2018
I think a most of the reviewers here have missed the point of the second story, "A Slip under the Microscope." Those of you who are complaining about the "vague" and tacked-on moral at the ending of the story that "sometimes honesty isn't the best policy" are looking about it in the wrong way. The entire story from start to finish was about class; specifically, the difficulty faced when trying to climb the socioeconomic ladder. Despite Hill's intellectual abilities, there were countless soft gatekeeping mechanisms keeping him from attaining his goals: his lack of education in French and Latin, his unfamiliarity with upper-class dialect, the lack of contacts his family had, ect.
I see the final confrontation with the professor much less about about the virtues of honesty, and far more a symbol of the structural inequalities that keep those like Hill from getting ahead. The professor recognizes these injustices, and even refers to himself as a machine of the system which cannot be disrupted. He feels pity knowing that he has doomed Hill to never realize his full potential, but represents those countless of us who work as cogs in the systems which allow social injustice to continue because of our silence and acceptance.
What most people have also missed is that Wedderburn begins to panic when he hears that a cheater has been exposed, leading us to believe that he may have been cheating the entire time. No one would have begun to suspect him of any indiscretions, whereas there had been many suspicions that Hill had been a cheater purely based on his background. I wouldn't even be surprised that if Wedderburn had been caught, his connections would have been enough for the "machines" to turn a blind eye.
H.G. Wells was a prophetic progressive and social critic of class and race injustice, and this short story provides a meditation on inequality far ahead of its time. I should think that in today's era of racial bias in policing and drug sentencing the story's message would still strike a chord. For those complaining that it's not a sci-fi story... I have no idea what to tell you.
I have less to say about the first story (The Door in the Wall), other than that it was a very well-written take on the difficulties of growing up and living a stressful life in a difficult world. I think that it would make a fantastic episode of "Black Mirror" or for the new "Twilight Zone" revival.
In short: If you're looking for two early sci-fi short story classics, look elsewhere. If you're looking for two prescient and thought provoking ruminations on life in the modern world that ring just as true today as when they were published at the turn of the (19th!) century, then you could do far worse than giving these a try.
I see the final confrontation with the professor much less about about the virtues of honesty, and far more a symbol of the structural inequalities that keep those like Hill from getting ahead. The professor recognizes these injustices, and even refers to himself as a machine of the system which cannot be disrupted. He feels pity knowing that he has doomed Hill to never realize his full potential, but represents those countless of us who work as cogs in the systems which allow social injustice to continue because of our silence and acceptance.
What most people have also missed is that Wedderburn begins to panic when he hears that a cheater has been exposed, leading us to believe that he may have been cheating the entire time. No one would have begun to suspect him of any indiscretions, whereas there had been many suspicions that Hill had been a cheater purely based on his background. I wouldn't even be surprised that if Wedderburn had been caught, his connections would have been enough for the "machines" to turn a blind eye.
H.G. Wells was a prophetic progressive and social critic of class and race injustice, and this short story provides a meditation on inequality far ahead of its time. I should think that in today's era of racial bias in policing and drug sentencing the story's message would still strike a chord. For those complaining that it's not a sci-fi story... I have no idea what to tell you.
I have less to say about the first story (The Door in the Wall), other than that it was a very well-written take on the difficulties of growing up and living a stressful life in a difficult world. I think that it would make a fantastic episode of "Black Mirror" or for the new "Twilight Zone" revival.
In short: If you're looking for two early sci-fi short story classics, look elsewhere. If you're looking for two prescient and thought provoking ruminations on life in the modern world that ring just as true today as when they were published at the turn of the (19th!) century, then you could do far worse than giving these a try.
June 9, 2016
I will go in, out of this dust and heat, out of this dry glitter of vanity, out of these toilsome futilities. I will go and never return.
"A Slip under the Microscope" by H.G. Wells is a small book of 50 pages which contains two small stories: "The Door in the Wall" and "A Slip under the Microscope".
The first story is about a man who finds a door which leads to a magical world as a little boy. He finds the same door several times in his lifetime but never goes inside it for a second time, despite his wish to do so. This story is a beautiful one and its moral is about life and our decisions in it, even though the message is a bit implicit. (5 stars).
The second story, which has the same title as the book is about a Biology student and his life at his school. It also says about him hiding the truth at first about how he got the first place in an exam, and him revealing the truth later. The meaning of this one could be about honesty, but it was very vague. I didn't like it as much as the first story (2 stars).
Both stories were beautifully written though and reading this small book was a pleasant experience. I really can't wait to read other bigger and more important works of H.G. Wells, such as The Time Machine.
April 2, 2015
HG Wells was a genius as evinced by this pair of fantastic stories. The first, A Door in the Wall, tells the story of every man's choices around following their dreams or getting swept up in other (important but epehmeral) matters. To read this is like to have someone walk over your grave as if forces the reader to pose the same question to themselves: am I following my path?
A Slip under the Microscope is a more typical short story, surrounding questions of rivalry and honesty, to whit: when presented with the full-proof method of securing a key victory dishonestly, what should one do. The moral answer is, of course, clear but the reality of the beguiling nature of temptation is something else entirely.
Fabulous!
A Slip under the Microscope is a more typical short story, surrounding questions of rivalry and honesty, to whit: when presented with the full-proof method of securing a key victory dishonestly, what should one do. The moral answer is, of course, clear but the reality of the beguiling nature of temptation is something else entirely.
Fabulous!
April 26, 2015
This book contains two of HG Wells many short stories.
A Door in the Wall: A bit of an odd story, it tells of a man finding a mysterious doorway which leads to a magical garden as a child. He then spends his life thinking about the door. It's very symbolic, I think about choosing your own path in life or something. It wasn't entirely clear though but I liked elements of the story.
A Slip Under the Microscope: No sci-fi elements at all, this sees a student desperate to be the top of the class. It's a very character driven piece and deals with themes of honesty and integrity. Frankly though I've read considerably better stories which deal with the same things.
Two lesser known Wells stories and not particularly stunning ones either.
A Door in the Wall: A bit of an odd story, it tells of a man finding a mysterious doorway which leads to a magical garden as a child. He then spends his life thinking about the door. It's very symbolic, I think about choosing your own path in life or something. It wasn't entirely clear though but I liked elements of the story.
A Slip Under the Microscope: No sci-fi elements at all, this sees a student desperate to be the top of the class. It's a very character driven piece and deals with themes of honesty and integrity. Frankly though I've read considerably better stories which deal with the same things.
Two lesser known Wells stories and not particularly stunning ones either.
June 5, 2015
I think I am disappointed by the book because of my expectations, not the actual writing or stories. I was in for some sci-fi stories but what I got was a lovely fantasy short story about a door and the story that gives the name to the book - focused more on the characters, and with no sff element. I liked "The Door in the Wall" more, but both stories shared themes and ideas.
November 27, 2018
The Door in the Wall - 4*
A Slip under the Microscope - 3.5*
A Slip under the Microscope - 3.5*
March 26, 2020
The Door In The Wall ★★★★☆
This was such a beautiful yet bittersweet story. I think it perfectly represented the freeness and imagination of childhood, and how you can never quite return there once you're older.
I do love how H.G Wells frequently poses some deep questions for the reader at the end of his stories. It always leaves me pondering over them for a few days.
I like to think that the garden was really heaven, and now Lionel has finally gone there to stay because he has accomplished all he wanted/needed to in his life (he could have gone through the door before, but he never did because he always had more to accomplish).
A Slip Under the Microscope ★★★☆☆
This story plodded along fairly slowly, but it came to a rather abrupt ending. Directly after finishing I felt like no deep questions were posed to the reader, which is usually one of my favourite parts of H.G Wells’ stories, so I wasn't that impressed with the ending. However, after thinking on it today, I did realise that it gave me some interesting things about morals and fairness to think about.
This was such a beautiful yet bittersweet story. I think it perfectly represented the freeness and imagination of childhood, and how you can never quite return there once you're older.
I do love how H.G Wells frequently poses some deep questions for the reader at the end of his stories. It always leaves me pondering over them for a few days.
I like to think that the garden was really heaven, and now Lionel has finally gone there to stay because he has accomplished all he wanted/needed to in his life (he could have gone through the door before, but he never did because he always had more to accomplish).
A Slip Under the Microscope ★★★☆☆
This story plodded along fairly slowly, but it came to a rather abrupt ending. Directly after finishing I felt like no deep questions were posed to the reader, which is usually one of my favourite parts of H.G Wells’ stories, so I wasn't that impressed with the ending. However, after thinking on it today, I did realise that it gave me some interesting things about morals and fairness to think about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2018
I prefer this collection over the previous one I read but I still thought it was mediocre. I think my reviews are a bit biased because I keep expecting science fiction elements to pop up in these stories and they don't. This is a bit unfair to expect because authors branch out in different genres all the time, but having been exposed to Wells' other types of fiction has solidified my preference for his longer, more science fiction based works.
July 5, 2024
I found these stories more existential than horrific, especially The Door in the Wall. As a result, the intrigue comes from the narrator leaving it up to the reader to interpret what’s truly going on. The story illustrates that reality is the real horror story – and therefore our need for fantasy or in this case, a magical door to escape.
Read the full review on my blog here.
Read the full review on my blog here.
February 21, 2025
Well there were two short stories in this one and even though the title is based on the second short story, i ended up loving the first one called “The door in the wall”. I love how the author shows the consequences of your own actions and choices you make affects you. For the first short story the readers are shown how when opportunities are given, one needs to choose it. It shows how people making choices that they “think” are the best ones and practical ones
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