The Food of the Gods (Pocket Classics) [Paperback]

H. G. Wells (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 61 pages
• Publisher: Academic Industries Inc.; PF edition (1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883017385
• ISBN-13: 978-0883017388
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,055,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite good, July 6, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Food of the Gods (Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

When the scientists Bensington and Redwood create a new compound which turns growth in all living things from a series of bursts and intermission into a constant, they have no idea how it will affect the world. Indeed, when this new "Food of the Gods" gets loose, it begins to grow giant plants and animals...and giant people. But, is the world big enough to hold an aging race of pygmies and a young race of giants?

This now largely forgotten work was written by H.G. Wells (1866-1946) in 1904, during his brief sojourn with the Fabian Society. Mr. Wells did not write his science fiction to tell entertaining stories; instead, he used his stories as vehicles for social commentary. In this particular book, Wells introduces a new race of mankind, large and capable - born outsiders who can not possibly fit into the social constructs that surround them, much less understand them.

Now, unlike War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man, why did this book fade into obscurity? Overall, I would say that Wells critique of Edwardian society is not deep enough to allow this story to transcend that setting. Also, while the story is quite good, it is not great, unlike those other stories.

So, am I saying that you should skip this book? Definitely not! H.G. Wells was a tremendous storyteller, and this story is quite entertaining. If you are a fan of Edwardian literature, or just like a good story, then you will definitely like this book. I highly recommend it.