The Conquered: Rebels #1

By Dafydd ab Hugh

When Captain Sisko leads the Defiant on a dangerous mission into the Gamma Quadrant to liberate a conquered world, the Bajoran government insists that Kai Winn, the Federation's longtime nemesis, assume complete control of the space station. Left behind by Sisko, Major Kira expects the worst from the Kai's new regime, but even she is caught by surprise when a fleet of alien warships attack Deep Space Nine!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
• Release date: Sep 2, 2000
• ISBN: 9780743420556

Dafydd ab Hugh

Dafydd ab Hugh is a science fiction author who has written numerous books taking place in the Star Trek universe, as well as a Doom novel series. 

Book preview

PRELUDE

THIRTY YEARS AGO

"MY LORD, what may I bring you from our Prophets?" Sister Winn asked, as Gul Ragat and his Cardassian friends and colleagues roared with laughter at her impishness.

From your Prophets? echoed another young Cardassian, a gul in the Cardassian land forces. The boy—Akkat, Sister Winn remembered—wore a sneer that he obviously practiced before a mirror. His voice held a nasal quality found to a lesser extent in most Cardassians—probably a species trait—but grating to Bajoran ears nevertheless.

Yes, Lord Akkat, said the priestess, bowing low to the boy who was only a little more than half her age. The Prophets offer peace and hope to all, even Cardassians.

The council room was dim and cool, with harsh dark-wood chairs surrounding a severe table. Communications equipment, viewers, touch pads adorned the place settings, along with a chalice of Kanar for each man.

There were four other Cardassian lords and overlords around the table, including Winn’s own master, Gul Ragat. They all laughed at her last statement, and Gul Dukat, master of Terok Nor and one of the governors of Bajor Province, probably in line to succeed Legate Migar as prefect of all Bajor, nudged the young colonel. "Are you going to allow a Bajoran priestess to speak to you that way? Offering you leftover blessings from her gods—after the Bajorans take what they want?"

If Akkat was haughty before, he was positively livid now. He leapt to his feet, knocking over the heavy Cardassian-style chair. His facial ridges stood out stark and white … an ominous omen.

Sister Winn was used to such Cardassian outbursts, and she knew what she had to do. She had survived most of her adult life under Cardassian occupation, and she was no fool. Winn fell to her knees, bowing until her face was pressed against the floor. Please, My Lord! I meant nothing by it. I spoke in error, and I beg your indulgence.

Akkat pushed his way around the table, teeth clenched; he even shoved Gul Ragat out of his way in his rage—a bad move, as the gul, though just as young, outranked him by quite a margin of social status. Wretched beast! Get up off the floor and accept your correction like a—like a Cardassian child would!

But the priestess’s own master rose, now annoyed at Akkat for pushing him. Akkat he shouted, deliberately ignoring the lesser soul’s title (a serious insult in Cardassia). Don’t touch my servants! Take your hands away; if you want to damage property, damage your own! I still have use for mine.

Ignoring the warning, Akkat swung his open hand at Winn’s face. She did not try to shield herself from the blow; she was too canny from years of experience. Instead, the priestess twisted her head in time with the blow to minimize impact, then allowed herself to fall in the same direction, exaggerating the force. Then she covered her face with her arm and again begged forbearance.

Gul Akkat looked uncertainly at his colleagues, aware he had just struck a woman—a Bajoran woman, to be sure, but even so. When Gul Dukat himself turned an angry gaze at the young gul and said, A Cardassian does not lose his temper around Bajorans, Akkat slunk back to his seat, his face flushed with embarassment.

Still stretched out on the floor, Sister Winn felt several moments of triumph that she had finally goaded the weakest Cardassian into humiliating himself. She had subtly taunted him for several minutes: nothing overt enough to truly give him cause to strike her (in which case, the others would have ignored the incident), but sufficient needling that he lost control at the most innocuous of statements. Then Winn felt a twinge of her own conscience; she tried to tell herself that it was a strategic maneuver, trying to make the lords and overlords lose confidence in one of their own. But that was a lie: it was a petty, vindictive act and not in keeping with the teaching of the Prophets.

She rose to her knees, bowed again to Lord Akkat, and said, I humbly beseech your pardon for the disrespect I have shown. But she was not talking to the young pup of a Cardassian; in Winn’s heart, the words were directed skyward, to those who heard even the quietest heartfelt prayer.

The rest of the meeting proceeded routinely. There were no secrets discussed, and the lords took no precautions against any of the servants, including Sister Winn, listening in. The matters were run-of-the-mill administrative reports and the issuance of standing orders that were already available over the subspace newsmitters anyway. It was more a formal event, held so that four guls and the legate could set themselves aside as the administrative (and military) leaders of the subcontinent.

In fact, it was quite an honor that Gul Ragat was even allowed to attend, as he excitedly told Winn during a break, walking alone in Legate Migar’s garden with only a personal priestess in attendance. Winn, you have no idea how extraordinary it is for a mere provincial subgovernor to be invited to Legate Migar’s for the monthly bulletintea!

I know it is a very great honor for your lordship, said the priestess.

A great honor, indeed. The young gul turned serious for a moment. "I’m afraid it’s too great an honor, Sister Winn."

Oh, surely not, My Lord!

Relax, Winn. We’re alone now. The boy turned an astute face to the priestess, who felt the most absurd impulse to comfort the lad. I’m not disparaging my family; my lineage is if anything even grander than that of Legate Migar himself … and the old man knows it. But since when does the provincial subgovernor of Shakarri and Belshakarri rate an invitation to the bulletin-tea?

Winn thought for a moment; the child had a point, not that she particularly cared much about Cardassian rules of protocol. Perhaps they are grooming M’Lord for a promotion?

Gul Ragat grinned and chuckled, shaking his head. It’s called a grant of honors, not a promotion! Silly girl. But I understood what you meant, and I confess that I’ve been thinking the same thought myself … and damning myself for being an ambitious man even for thinking it.

Sister Winn said nothing. The garden was too tight, too martial, as were most Cardassian artifacts. The trees were planted too close together, like soldiers in ranks, and the paths were straight as Cardassian roads, intersecting with each other at precisely defined angles that one could see for many steps ahead. Sister Winn preferred either the soothingly planned garden of the Kai, which she had seen only once in person but had walked often in her dreams, or the rambling, meandering footpaths of the woods outside her native village.

Gul Ragat stopped and sat upon a stone bench, watching the Fountain of Discipline: the spigots fired in bursts like a weapon, launching a cylinder of water into the air, arching over the hexagonal plaza to land squarely in a small catch-basin on the other side. Sister Winn did not, of course, sit beside the gul; it would have surprised him and made him uncomfortable … though he would not have punished her for it.

He might also have taken the wrong idea. One night, he had somewhat drunkenly explored his options with Sister Winn, but she made it clear (by failing to understand his advances) that she may be his servant, but she was not his toy. She much preferred somewhat an air of formality, to ensure the two did not get too close; Sister Winn had no illusions about their relationship, the conquered to the victor.

Winn, I’m … The gul trailed off; Sister Winn did not prompt him—it wasn’t her place, and she hoped he wouldn’t decide to confide in her anyway. Winn, he said again, I’m afraid.

Afraid, My Lord?

Afraid of the added responsibility. Afraid of what we’re doing— Gul Ragat froze in midsentence, looking around himself in an almost comical paranoia. Sister Winn, do the Prophets truly exist?

I have spoken with them frequently, My Lord. Ragat did not ask whether they answered her when she spoke.

"Winn, I’m—afraid for the soul of Cardassia, what this occupation is doing to us. I know Akkat; we go way back."

He’s going to tell me what a good person he is, thought the priestess with amusement.

Winn, Akkat is such a good man! I know you feel hurt and humiliated by what he did, striking you like that for no reason. You’re confused, and you’re angry—furious at us! No, don’t deny it; I know how you Bajorans feel about this occupation. And to tell the truth, I even understand it. There’s no heavenly reason why Cardassians are any better or superior to you people. I understand you completely.

Sister Winn said nothing, not trusting her self-control. She decided it was politic to bow her head; she also put her sleeves together and savagely gripped one hand in the other to prevent them moving of their own accord where they wanted to go. Oh, Prophets of Bajor, please forgive and take from me my violent impulses!

But it’s this damned military thing, continued the young gul, little aware of the emotions he was stirring in the normally placid Sister Winn. It warps us, makes us the sort who—who strike an old woman because she reminds us of how uncomfortable we feel, trying to civilize the Bajorans by force … trying to force our civilization upon the Bajoran civilization, I should say.

Winn seized upon the phrase old woman, successfully translating her homicidal feelings into mere indignation that a woman in her thirties would be called old by this young aristocratic snot. She thanked the Prophets for their gift from the mouth of Gul Ragat.

Oh, I’m blathering. Let’s return; Legate Migar probably wants to start the meeting again, and I don’t want to be the last man back. He flashed her a boyish grin. "Could give him second thoughts about my promotion, what?"

PRESENT DAY

Kai Winn awoke in her bed, thirty years after the dream that had seemed so strong, so real. Am I that old, she asked herself, that I live in ancient memory instead of the present? Tomorrow is an important day, and I must rest.

The Kai rolled over, and was, thank the Prophets, dreamless for the rest of the night.

CHAPTER 1

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN SISKO stood in room 77A of the All Prophets Council chambers on Bajor, facing Kai Winn and surrounded by sixty-six vedeks and conciliators and priests and votaries and even an audience circumnavigating the viewing stage above the council floor. The crowd mobbed in from the left, circled the viewing stage, and exited on the opposite side, where their prayer tokens were collected. Major Kira Nerys stood next to the captain. As they had arranged, Kira spoke first.

Most Gracious Kai, said Kira, "the Federation offers an … assignment of Deep Space Nine on a temporary basis, to Bajoran command."

Kai Winn frowned in the virtual council chambers, smoothing her plain frock. She pulled at one finger, carefully framing her reply in the most diplomatic terms possible. Although it was Kira who had spoken, she addressed her reply to Captain Sisko. If the station remains under Federation control, Emissary, yet Shakar or some other member of the council becomes its governor, doesn’t that mean we have accepted the authority of the Federation over Bajor?

Damn her. Sisko—the Emissary of the Prophets—was careful to keep his poker face, but the Kai had a point. Tricky diplomacy was required not to offend the Bajorans. "The United Federation of Planets most certainly does not claim hegemony over Bajor, the council, or any vedek or political leader who might assume temporary control of the station."

Kai Winn shook her head; more in sorrow than anger, quoted Sisko silently to himself. Emissary, she said, if we control the station only subject to approval of our actions by the Federation Council, then we are nothing but puppets of the Federation. She put her hand over her mouth as if she had accidentally let slip an indiscretion. Good acting job, thought Sisko glumly. Kai Winn never did anything by accident. I beg your pardon…. Perhaps it would be better to say we would be nothing but—political subsidiaries of the Federation. Rather like a colony or a protectorate.

Sisko took a deep breath. Winn had negotiated his back right up against a wall: he was authorized by the Federation Council to offer one further step … then that was it; if Kai Winn and the other vedeks didn’t accept that offer, negotiations were at an end.

The Federation is prepared to forgo the normal review process for turnovers of this sort in lieu of an explicit timeline of events, culminating with a final evaluation.

You won’t be looking over our shoulders? Emissary, how kind of you to make such an offer.

No reviews until the final evaluation, Kai, added Kira, bobbing her head rapidly.

But does the Emissary have the diplomatic authority to make such an offer?

I do, Sisko said. And the Federation feels that with tensions between us and the Cardassians in abeyance for the moment, this would be an excellent time for such an experiment.

How pleasant to carry on such productive negotiations. Kai Winn smiled broadly. She’s going to take it, thought Sisko. And he was right: I, too, am authorized by a vote of the leading vedeks of each party in the council to agree to the Federation offer—on a temporary basis, of course, subject to our own evaluation of the ongoing process.

Fancy footwork on first base to confuse the pitcher, thought Sisko with a simile. But the extra escape clause allowing Bajor to terminate the agreement early would not substantially alter the final proposal; the captain was certain the Federation Council would approve. "Then we have agreement, Kai Winn, Members of the Council. In nine days, you will send up a governor to assume control of Deep Space Nine for a period of sixty days … which may be extended indefinitely, provided both parties agree."

The Kai’s eyes flickered toward First Minister Shakar when Sisko mentioned governor. An excellent choice, thought the captain. Major Kira’s only fear had been that Winn would try to take the position herself. For obvious reasons having little to do with the future of Bajor, Kira was quite pleased with the prospect of once again working under her old Resistance commander … and current romantic interest.

Before the final ceremony could begin, they were interrupted by the a chime of a combadge. Sisko tapped his combadge as discreetly as possible.

Captain, Worf said, "My apologies for interrupting. But there is an urgent message for you from Starfleet. You are needed on Deep Space Nine at once."

This had better be good, Sisko said to Worf under his breath. He was not looking forward to the explanations and apologies

Reviews for The Conquered

[danielstj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A disappointing read. H.G Wells has much better tales. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.

[virago77 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The Invisible Man was a jerk who was mean to people and tortured a cat. This pissed me off and has left my mentally incapable of leaving a more detailed review. I expected better.

[jonfaith · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Misanthropic and bereft of philosophy, it begins as farce and concludes in a homicidal froth. Pity.

[the_hibernator · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In H. G. Wells' classic novel, a scientist turns himself invisible and wreaks havoc in rural England. This book is a versatile classic because it could be read by someone who is young or who simply wants to read fluff, but it can also be appreciated by more careful readers who are looking for undercurrents of meaning. It's a tragi-farcical romp in 19th century England, but it's also a warning about what people might do simply because they can get away with it. This is a classic that anyone interested in science fiction should read.

[tommi180744 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An inventive & exciting story by one of the foremost Science Fiction authors of his era, whose literary fame encompasses Histories & Philosophy. Created from the serialized tale published in 1897 in a UK magazine, Pearson's Weekly, The Invisible Man as the title suggests has a main character Griffin who becomes invisible. Wells examines the good aspects & pitfalls of such a transformation with the emphasis on the downside as Griffin becomes increasingly erratic - no spoiler here - read it for the dramatic events and conclusion.

[stacyinthecity · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book, and I actually found the Invisable Man to be a sad sort of character. I felt sorry for him more than I felt like he was an awful person.

[stefany_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My second H.G. Wells novel. Honestly, I didn't enjoy The Invisible Man quite as much as I did The War of the Worlds. The storyline and writing were both top notch, but I just found it hard to REALLY enjoy a novel in which I totally despised the main character. In all actuality, I guess my feelings towards the protagonist/antagonist (yes, both are the same character) would be considered a win for the author, as I feel that Wells didn't intend for the reader to truly like this character. What I find interesting is that as I was reading the novel, I did feel a bit of sympathy for the main character's plight from time to time, but then he would do something so over-the-top or horribly nasty that I would immediately lose any sympathetic feelings and replace them with something more akin to loathing. I did enjoy the novel for the most part though and Wells crafts a wonderful story that keeps the reader interested throughout. I found the science behind his explanation of events to be sufficient to carry the story especially considering the time in which it was written and think that this is another fine example of early Science Fiction before Science Fiction was actually defined as a genre.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells is a classic science-fiction story originally published in 1897. This tale verges on horror as a student of science, Griffin involves himself into research in optics and invents a way to render the body invisible. At first gleeful with his transformation, he becomes more and more angry when he realizes he cannot find a way to reverse the invisibility.There is very little to like about Griffin who appeared to be a selfish, self-centered individual. He is described as a man of random temper given to bouts of heedless violence. His altered condition was extremely difficult to live with and this only made him more angry, more violent and a threat to all that he met.I quite enjoyed this story. Although it was a little dated, I liked the angle the author took, showing how terrible and isolating this condition could be. This dark tale didn’t hesitate to show the mental instability of the main character whose revenge driven cruelty and fury toward others made it very difficult to feel any sympathy towards him. The Invisible Man is a classic sci-fi morality tale that holds up well.

[dasam-5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Still a great read.

[bnielsen_30 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mr og Mrs Hall får en pudsig logerende, der er pakket helt ind i bandager. Han er opfarende og ubehagelig. Efterhånden opdager man at han er helt usynlig bag bandagerne og at han supplerer sine sparsomme midler ved at snige sig ind hos Pastor Bunting og hugge penge. Uheldigvis er han voldsomt forkølet og nyser tit, så han har ikke succes som tyv. Han anholdes, men undslipper usynlig, men nøgen og det er halvkøligt. Han åbenbarer sig for en gammel studiebekendt, Dr. Kemp og vi finder ud af at han hedder Griffin. Han er prosektor ved et usselt universitet og opdager lidt tilfældigt at han kan gøre hæmoglobin gennemsigtigt. Han forestiller sig et usynligt menneske og den magt, den kan give, men han er nødt til at forske i hemmelighed og fattigdom. Modgangen gør ham småskør og da han endelig finder formlen for usynlighed har han ikke længere forstand nok til at udnytte den fornuftigt, men ender med at blive jaget som et vildt dyr.En klassiker og et ganske interessant psykologisk studie

[ssimon2000-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read as part of the BIG BUDDY READ, 2015 EDITION!

4 stars.

H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” (1897) is the account of a scientist condemned to invisibility because of an ill-advised decision to consume a concoction that hadn’t been fully tested. After conducting secret experiments for four years while living in London, the scientist, “Mr. Griffin”, sees invisibility as a means to escape from poverty and obscurity, being motivated by is a desire for power and a wish “to transcend magic.” Griffin relates, “I beheld, unclouded by doubt, a magnificent vision of all that invisibility might mean to a man: the mystery, the power, the freedom. The drawbacks I saw none.” Of course, H.G. Wells dwells on the drawbacks of invisibility and scientific investigation that completely discounts consequences.

Ironically, Griffin is already “invisible” to society by the time he literally becomes invisible. Wells buttresses this idea, with Griffin’s backstory emerging later. With a reckless desire for “his magnificent vision,” Griffin profoundly alienates himself from society, with his poverty becoming repugnant to himself; this is what he is striving to abandon through his scientific labors. His words at his father’s funeral bring attention to this broad material and emotional disconnect: “I remember the funeral, the cheap hearse, the scant ceremony, the windy frost-bitten hillside, and the old college friend of his who read the service over him--a shabby, black, bent old man with a sniveling cold.” His literal invisibility leads to further alienation, which precipitates violence. Wells reveals a very astute picture of the pathology of violence.

Wells’ construction of the book reveals his own fascination with science, as well as a suspicion of its applications. His explanations of scientific experiments are ingenious and terrifying. Griffin develops a process to discolor his blood vessels and remove his pigmentation, but this pursuit lacks any fundamental merit, suggesting that when science exceeds the limits of nature, danger and insanity always follow.

Well’s accounts of Griffin’s predicament are a strength of the book. Practical challenges that Griffin faces are described vividly. For example, to be fully invisible Griffin must be completely naked, since only his body is invisible. This is especially entertaining because Wells withholds describing Griffin’s physical attributes from the reader. The reader, like the characters, must imagine the antagonist in order to know (and understand) who he is.

In the final chapters, Mr. Griffin assumes the role of the most feared agents in contemporary times: a terrorist, unseen in the midst of civil society, he strikes with a vengeance, using his invisibility as a weapon. Griffin makes his presence felt and feared: “That invisible man must now establish a reign of terror... He must issue orders. He can do that in a thousand ways...” Written almost 120 years ago, The Invisible Man is surprisingly relevant in discussions of social invisibility, science, and violence.

Highly recommended simply for the fact that it changed the face of science fiction for decades, impacting many of the grand masters.

[ashishg_50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Haunting tale of man cursed by his own power: he attained invisibility but couldn't enjoy it. Narrative is thrilling, suspenseful and poignent simultaneously. It is difficult to solely hate or sympathize with protagonist. Writing style and word usage are enjoyable experience too.

[bobby3457 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a man that finds a way to turn invisible. At first he thinks that it could be fun, but then he finds that it is hard to live being invisible. He wants to find a way to reverse his own invention. Over time the people that are letting him stay at their house start to get suspicius about him being strange. They find out that he is invisible and gets the whole county chasing after him. This was a good book and I think that people that haven't read it should.

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heard this as an audiobook. A very dark tale, but with a dry sense of humor - at least in the beginning of the novel. Then it descends into madness and terror. One would think that invisibility gives you the upper hand in many situations - however here we have a frightened, freezing and vulnerable man who cannot get shelter, food and sleep. And then he gets very angry!!I like the way Wells presents the novel from different points of view. We are drawn into the tale by guessing who this strange man is - and then The Invisible Man steps unto the scene and tell his own story. How he experience everything. Then you get more sympathy for the guy.

[markberonte · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

From the twentieth century's first great practitioner of the novel of ideas comes a consummate masterpiece of science fiction about a man trapped in the terror of his own creation.

[1morechapter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have never read anything by H.G. Wells before, and I found this book very intriguing. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. He set up the mood and atmosphere perfectly; it was very suspenseful. The middle of the story bogged down a bit, but by the ending I was enjoying it again. It was interesting to note that in my edition they noted four alternative endings to the one I read. They were very minor changes, and my favorite ending was not the one published in this edition.One of my favorite authors is C.S. Lewis, and though Lewis admired Wells’ writing, he disagreed with him philosophically on many points. I just read that Lewis based one of the characters in That Hideous Strength on Wells himself. I’m planning on reading that book and the first two in the Space Trilogy by Lewis in 2008, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Lewis’ take on Wells’ character and ideology.

[squeakychu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's not easy being invisible! Griffin, a minor scientist in England, discovers how to make things invisible. His experiments with living things only left the back of a white cat's eyes, but he was able to make himself totally invisible. That's when his troubles began. How does an invisible man eat (especially if partially digested food is still visible), clothe himself (especially if "walking clothing" scare others, or get and carry money without creating "floating money" (especially before the days of "virtual money"? In addition, how does an invisible man refrain from performing acts of mischief that are so enticing?This classic novel answers the above questions and provides for an interesting play-by-play of this scientist's adventures, including his ability to find someone (Mr. Marvel, the tramp) who scams him and, by chance, to discover someone who could help him (Dr. Kent). Both funny and sad, this story is well written, almost believable, very imaginative, and a most enjoyable read.

[soylentgreen23 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Most of the Wells canon carries with it a double, or second, meaning. Here, the surface story of a scientist who succeeds in giving himself a negative refractive index, plays host to two other interpretations: one, the scientific urge, and the results of experimentation without moral or ethical umpires; and two, the sense that without societal restraints, man can become beastly.

[melydia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The set-up to this story is somewhat unusual, as it begins with a stranger wrapped in bandages arriving at an inn on a snowy night. Everyone assumes he's horribly disfigured, and the text goes on a bit as if that is indeed the case, but given the title we the reader are well aware that he is in fact invisible. That said, I did very much enjoy this story. It's more of a horror story than I expected, with the titular character unquestionably playing the part of the villain (as opposed to a mostly well-meaning scientist cursed by his own hubris, as with Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll). The pitfalls of invisibility (such as being able to see through one's own eyelids, for example) added a certain spark to the narrative, and parts were surprisingly suspenseful. The Invisible Man's motivations were sort of vague and unsatisfying, but in general I recommend this book.

[toongirl81 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In a time where modern storytelling is discussed in terms of spoiler alerts and twist-endings, it was hard for me to feel enthused about a book which answers its own mystery right in the title. In fact, I had carried around my Walmart published copy of this novel for the past 17 years, always picking it up out of a sense of historical literary obligation, only to put it back down immediately. A story about a man who was invisible. So what? By now it is an idea that has been done to death in both books and movies.So when I decided it was finally time to set my copy free back into the wild from whence it came, I said what the hell and hunkered down with it before we parted. And you know what? It is surprisingly a fun read.Wells is an able storyteller, and although the narrative clunks along a bit around the middle when Griffin explains to his old friend Kemp how he came to be invisible (both the suspiciously convenient arrival of this friend, as well as the overlong explanation of the science behind the invisibility are distancing and distracting) the story is surprisingly engrossing.As a fan-girl of all things British, in particular the Victorian era, I was especially taken with the period details including the narrative voice. To some readers this aspect of the novel will probably be a given, but I expected something more akin to modern science-fiction where the emphasis seems to be on taking a reader out of the commonplace. Here, Wells' third-person narrator sounds more like a peer of his realist counterparts, with great care and attention being placed on describing the mundane village setting of Iping and the insular, nosy life of the people in that community. This kind of subtle satire of small town communities is as lively as it is amusing.I do, however, feel that I have to subtract points for the unnecessarily prolonged reveal of poor Griffin's invisibility. Wells keeps the "surprise" from everyone, even the reader, which seems maddeningly coy, considering he knows that we know what's going on. But the slow build does create tension which plays out satisfyingly when things do start to move.Griffin as an anti-hero comes across as insane enough to be considered dangerous (the things he did to that poor stray cat!), but despondent enough to pity. And in a wonderful turning of the tables near the end (SPOILER ALERT!), when Kemp turns from the hunter to the hunted, we see how a kind of small town small-mindedness is perhaps more dangerous than a man no one can see. For a man does not have to turn himself invisible to be unseen and unloved.

[dissidence_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed The Invisible Man a lot better than War of the Worlds, I'm happy to say. I preferred the writing style used in this book and thankfully it wasn't filled with geographical information. Plot-wise, it wasn't what I expected. I sort of expected more experiments, more obvious madness, or at least more of a suspenseful sinister atmosphere throughout the book as the beginning where he was locked in the room talking to himself did seem a bit more dramatic.The Invisible Man himself is very selfish, dominant, disregards others' feelings entirely and generally sees other people as stupid obstacles in his way. Despite this, I did feel sorry for him as being made irreversibly invisible and all the unforeseen consequences of that (being chased, hurt, hunted, ignored, exposure to cold, eating in public) would affect anyone, and so I saw him as a victim of his own foolhardiness. At the same time, he has a terribly short temper and he is a control-freak - demanding rather than asking, never attempting to negotiate, always thinking of his own needs. Meanwhile, the other people are scared of him and try to hold him on account of his breaking the law. They eventually try to play him at his own game and make it difficult for him to move around and steal, which has fatal consequences. I don't think they wanted to hurt him but he had killed brutally once and dreamed of doing more. The book doesn't endear you to any of the characters really, but there is a real sense of empathy for both sides - the Invisible Man, an oddity, who can't turn back and the villagers, who are scared, and taken advantage of and stolen from etc. I'm glad I read this book, and some of the writing is really well done. I really liked this quote from the Invisible Man's monologue, for no other reason than I got such a good sense of the shop that I just knew there was a bell on the door before I read about it:"...a dirty flyblown little shop in a byway near Drury Lane, with a window full of tinsel robes, sham jewels, wigs, slippers, dominoes and theatrical photographs. The shop was old-fashioned and low and dark, and the house rose above it for four storeys, dark and dismal. I peered through the window and, seeing no-one within, entered. The opening of the door set a clanking bell ringing."I enjoyed this book, and especially liked the powerful presence of the Invisible Man by the references to him as the Voice or the Unseen. His suspicious and dominant nature did make him enjoyably formidable.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story with lots of suspense and a slowly building plot. Could be a bit of a dry read at times, but overall very good.

[theboylatham_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Six out of ten.

A mysterious stranger wrapped in bandages from head to toe arrives in town, and mysterious, terrible things begin happening. No one knows if he's responsible until he becomes invisible . . . right before their eyes.

[justabookreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was looking for something short to read and came across an old beat-up copy of The Invisible Man on our shelves. It seemed like the perfect book --- a little science fiction, a compact story, something to read while sitting on the roof enjoying a sunny afternoon.Griffin, a scientist, invents a machine that uses optics to make things invisible to the naked eye. He tests his machine, and the procedure, on himself. He completes the process but he doesn’t have time to reverse it before he is kicked out of the inn where he’s conducting his experiments by the people of the town who don’t trust him. With no options, and no desire to explain himself or his work, he leaves the inn in his new invisible state. He steals to get what he needs then enlists a man to assist him in getting his notes back from the inn where he abandoned them. When he, and his invisible state, are reported to the authorities, Griffin flips and goes on a bit of a terror spree wanting to get back at the man who betrayed him.The science fiction aspect of the book is interesting and the explanation believable. Griffin wasn’t a likable character though --- he’s arrogant, mean, and capable of murder. I kept wondering what it was that made him that way because I didn’t believe it could have been the invisibility alone. He does tell his story but it doesn’t do anything to help his cause considering he openly talks of murder, setting fire to a place to hide his work, and robbing people. I’m fine with not liking the main character and here Griffin is really just being used as social commentary anyway so I understood the reasoning for it even if he didn’t appeal to me.Having not read much HG Wells since high school, I was slightly stunned to find I didn’t like this one as much as I thought I would. Don’t misinterpret that, I did like it, just not love it. I’m a person that likes to bond with the main character and here that wasn’t possible. The reader isn’t supposed to like Griffin but even knowing that didn’t help me. For me, he was the cruel scientist bent on revenge not caring about the people he was planning to hurt along the way to get what he wanted. As I’m writing this review I’m beginning to wonder if I’m experiencing an aversion to Wells’s writing and now I’m thinking of going back to re-read The Time Machine to see what I think of that. Interesting how that happens to me sometimes.

[bookworm12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A young scientist finds a way to make himself invisible, but his success leaves him outcast from society. The Invisible Man is the story of a person who loses his humanity while pursuing an illusive scientific experiment. This famous book is really more of a cautionary tale than a scary story. The main character, Griffin, is not a likeable guy. He’s rude and often cruel. Every choice he makes is driven by his underlying desire to further his own goals and his selfishness leaves him oblivious to the wellbeing of others. The narrative itself is a bit stiff, but that’s to be expected in most Victorian literature. We see the outside world’s view of Griffin long before we learn how this happened to him. By the time he lets his side unfold it’s difficult to connect with his character. It was much more tragic than I expected. It reminded me of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The author blends science with morality to highlight the importance of considering both elements in your life. What is the power to make yourself invisible worth if you lose your soul by doing it?  

[blenny_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn't expect this book to be as good as it was. I expected it to be a bit turgid but found it was quite the opposite, funny even.There is a definite dark humour running throughout this novel and I surprised myself by bursting into laughter (rather embarrassingly) on the train at one point! I liked the way that Wells throws in some of the problems that could come with being invisible, such as feeling the cold, can still be heard and smelt, walked into by people, can't travel far as no clothes can be worn especially regarding the feet, can't eat much as food can be seen in the body etc. The aspirations of Griffin's character are similar to those of Victor Frankenstein's as both tirelessly and desperately work to further science and their own glory, only to create chaos, regret and sometimes death. Such is the legacy of man and human nature and H.G Wells, very much ahead of his time, knew it.

[stbalbach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

H.G. Wells was a prolific Victorian English author who is best remembered today by four novels written in a three year period early in his career: "The Time Machine" (1895), "The Island of Dr. Moreau" (1896), "The Invisible Man" (1897) and "War of the Worlds" (1898). He was writing "The Invisible Man" at the same time he was working on "War of the Worlds" which came out just a few months later. According to one commentator, a common characteristic of all four novels, and the secret of their success, is their graphic violence contrasted with the innocence of their settings. Wells was not the first to write of invisibility, other works from the 19th century include Gui de Maupassant's "Le Horla" and American novelist Fitz-James O'Brien "What Was It?". However it was Well's who created the mythological character that is immediately recognizable to anyone who has never even read the book. The invisible man, Griffith, is partly a mad scientist in the tradition of Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll dabbling in the mysterious arts, and partly a warning about the dangers and fears of science to an innocent public experiencing dramatic changes brought on by the industrial revolution.The first part of the novel is fairly light-hearted with the invisible man seemingly a sad victim of his fate trying to hide his true nature and scorned by society, and even dogs. But then he begins to commit petty crimes, even gleefully taunting those around him - and then he designs to go on a "reign of terror" - similar to Frankenstein who was born innocent, but taught by those around him who saw only the fearsome and loathsome, he lives up to his reputation and becomes the evil which others "see" (or don't). His creation of invisibility is an innocent act, but it is man reaction and use of that invention that leads to evil."The Invisible Man" can also be contrasted with the English 'Invasion Literature' genre that was popular at the time ("War of the Worlds" is invasion literature canon). Similar to "Dracula" (1897) which played on the fears of a foreign invasion of the "dark" Eastern Europeans, "The Invisible Man" was a "Stranger" (the title of the first chapter), invading the otherwise peaceful confines of a quiet and normal English village.

[kellswitch_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

H. G. Well's classic story of mad science gone wrong. My knowledge of the story was most definitely formed by the movies and cultural references and it was not at all what I was expecting. I found this book to me much more engaging and easy to read then I had been expected, I tend to have trouble reading older writing styles. I had always assumed this story was about a man driven mad after using himself as a Guinea pig and instead found it to be about a sociopath who lost all impulse control after using himself as a Guinea pig. It made it very had to care or feel and sympathy for the character but it was still a fascinating readI enjoyed the science, as impossible as it is, and it did make me think and try to figure out how such a thing would effect the human body. For example, how would he see? An enjoyable look at science and science fictions past that was well worth the read.

[infjsarah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was OK. But it felt insubstantial. How did he get to this point and why was he so power mad?

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This classic set the stage for lots of other great science fiction writing.