Meanwhile

by H.G. Wells

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Classics

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Herbert 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

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky in-between kind of novel, part political commentary, part lyrical nature writing, part social comedy. I thought Lady Rylands was one of Wells' more interesting female characters and in some ways was very much how I imagine his wife Jane Wells.

[Zeeshan Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book, detailed discussions on Socialism, Communism, Utopia and so on. The narrative is quite slow, and this is one of the reasons this book is not everyone's cup of tea. Still, a very good story, which will push you to think more. A side of H.G. Wells that often gets overshadowed in his Sci Fi related works. I really liked the use of words in this one.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr . Wells should have gone home and gone to sleep instead of writing his thoughts into this book. His thoughts may have been ok but not to try to make them into a novel. I think the book could have been of some interest to the reader in 1927 when It was published but not now.All of the characters were so unreal to me. so self absorbed. the book was very difficult to read.

[Katherine B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone. Even for someone who enjoys the most mundane of classics, this one does get rather dull.

It is all theology, philosophy and politics - the most boring of subjects for a novel. The points made are interesting and are still valid in today's rocky climate.

The lady of the house is lovely and surprisingly well developed. And when the plot does occasionally pick up, it is actually good and well written. I didnt appreciate the view of women as baby making machines who should be understanding when their husbands cheat. Absolutely not.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend it but I didn't absolutely hate it.

[MJ Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A discursive novel worritting away on the 1926 General Strike, which landed a huge blow on the unions and labour movement. Set among the aristocratic class looking upon the seismic social change with bafflement over their vast lawns of calm and beauty, the novel explores the well-meaning attitudes of Dim-Nice-But-Dims, vicious upper classholes who view the poor as disposable commodities, and those for whom the workers’ struggle is a funny frolic, until the consequences spill into their own back gardens. The various romantic and emotional entanglements comprise the most bland parts of the novel—fortunately Wells is more interested in expansively discoursing on the Fascist movement in Italy and riding his usual World State high horse, keeping this one a historically fascinating read.