The Invisible Man(Illustrated) E-Book

H G Wells

• Herausgeber: Micheal Smith
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

• Illustrated Edition: Features 20 stunning illustrations that bring the eerie and mysterious world of the Invisible Man to life.
• Includes a Comprehensive Summary: Dive deep into the narrative with a detailed summary that captures the essence of the story.
• Character List: Get to know the characters inside out with a comprehensive list, enhancing your reading experience.
• Author Biography: Explore the life and times of H.G. Wells, providing context to this groundbreaking work.

Step into the enigmatic world of Griffin, the brilliant scientist whose groundbreaking experiment turns him invisible, launching a tale of isolation, madness, and terror. This book is now in an exclusive illustrated edition, brings a fresh visual perspective to this classic masterpiece. With 20 captivating illustrations, this edition vividly brings to life the haunting journey of a man unseen by the world around him.
Wells's tale is more than just a science fiction adventure; it's a profound exploration of the human condition, the thirst for power, and the consequences of alienation. As Griffin descends into madness, his quest for dominance leads to a chilling spree of terror that shakes the small English village of Iping to its core.
This illustrated edition not only visualizes the suspenseful and gripping narrative but also includes a detailed summary, a comprehensive list of characters, and a biography of H.G. Wells. These additions provide deeper insight into the story's context, the characters' motivations, and the life of one of science fiction's greatest authors.
This version of "The Invisible Man" is an essential purchase, suitable for both novice and seasoned readers. Explore the unsettling realm of invisibility, where the invisible is not unfelt, by diving inside the pages. Observe Griffin's disintegration and consider the ethical consequences of unbridled research. This illustrated version of a timeless classic delivers an unforgettable and disturbing reading experience.

Leseprobe

THE INVISIBLE MAN

BY

H. G. WELLS

ABOUT WELLS

The visionary English writer HeOn September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent, the visionary English writer Herbert George Wells, often known as H.G. Wells, was born. From humble beginnings, Wells became one of the most important pioneers of science fiction, transforming the genre from pulp to a perceptive examination of the future, society, and technology. His early years were characterized by financial challenges, which impacted many of his later themes of social justice and class conflict. He was raised in a lower middle class family and had financial hardships.

Wells's education at the Normal School of Science (now Imperial College London) under T.H. Huxley, a prominent advocate of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, profoundly shaped his scientific and social views. His academic background in biology and his fervent belief in social reform became the bedrock of his literary pursuits, allowing him to infuse his narratives with scientific accuracy and speculative imagination.

Embarking on his literary career in the late 19th century, Wells first gained recognition with his debut novel, "The Time Machine" (1895), a pioneering work that introduced the concept of time travel through scientific means. This novel not only captivated readers with its adventurous plot but also delved into social commentary, reflecting Wells's concerns about the future of mankind under the pressures of inequality and technological progress.

Wells's literary repertoire soon expanded with a series of novels that would cement his reputation as the "father of science fiction." Works such as "The Invisible Man" (1897), "The War of the Worlds" (1898), and "The Island of Doctor Moreau" (1896) showcased his talent for blending imaginative storytelling with thought-provoking exploration of ethical dilemmas, human nature, and the potential perils of scientific advancements.

Beyond his contributions to science fiction, Wells was a prolific author with a diverse output that included social novels, history, politics, and social commentary. His later works, such as "Kipps" (1905) and "The History of Mr. Polly" (1910), reflect a shift towards a more humanistic and comedic examination of Edwardian society, though he never abandoned his interest in speculative and utopian themes.

An outspoken socialist, Wells's writings frequently intersected with his political beliefs. He advocated for social, economic, and educational reforms, envisioning a world united in peace and freed from the constraints of ignorance and poverty. His non-fiction works, such as "Anticipations" (1901) and "The Open Conspiracy" (1928), proposed ideas for a better future through collective human effort and rational planning.

Wells's influence extended beyond literature into the realms of social and political activism. He met with numerous leaders and intellectuals of his time, including Lenin, Roosevelt, and Stalin, to discuss his visions for a utopian future. Despite the mixed receptions of his ideas, his relentless pursuit of a better world through dialogue and literature earned him both admiration and criticism.

H.G. Wells passed away on August 13, 1946, leaving behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of science fiction. His works continue to inspire readers, writers, and thinkers, offering a window into the limitless potential of the human imagination when coupled with a critical eye towards society and its future. Wells's visionary tales not only entertained generations but also prompted them to ponder the moral and ethical implications of science and technology on humanity. His contributions to literature and social thought endure, marking him as a towering figure whose ideas continue to resonate in our contemporary world.

SUMMARY

This book is a riveting science fiction novel that explores the boundaries of science and the complexities of human nature through the eyes of Griffin, a scientist consumed by his own groundbreaking discovery: a way to become invisible. This extraordinary ability, however, quickly spirals into a curse as Griffin struggles with the isolation, power, and moral ambiguity his invisibility brings. Set in the heart of England, the narrative unfolds in the quaint village of Iping, where Griffin's initial attempts to conceal his invisibility shroud the community in mystery, suspicion, and terror. As Griffin's control over his invisibility wanes and his desperation for recognition and power grows, his journey becomes a thrilling chase that questions the ethics of science, the thirst for power, and the human condition itself. Wells masterfully weaves a tale that is not only a compelling adventure but also a profound exploration of invisibility's metaphorical implications on identity, social interaction, and the pursuit of knowledge. This classic novel, with its gripping plot, complex character, and philosophical underpinnings, remains a timeless exploration of the unseen forces that shape our lives and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

CHARACTERS LIST

This book is a fascinating tale that delves into the dark corners of human ambition, isolation, and the quest for power. Here's a list of the primary characters from this classic science fiction novel:

Griffin: The protagonist, also known as the Invisible Man, is a scientist who discovers the secret to invisibility but cannot reverse the process. His invisibility drives him to madness and a quest for power, leading to his downfall.

Dr. Kemp: A scientist and old college friend of Griffin's. Kemp becomes an unwilling confidant and the target of Griffin's wrath when he refuses to assist him in his plans for a reign of terror.

Thomas Marvel: A tramp who becomes Griffin's unwilling assistant. Marvel is coerced into helping Griffin but eventually escapes and turns against him.

Mr. Hall: The owner of the Coach and Horses Inn where Griffin first takes refuge. Mr. Hall is one of the first to experience the strange occurrences surrounding the Invisible Man.

Mrs. Hall: Mr. Hall's wife, who tries to be hospitable to their invisible guest but becomes increasingly frightened by his inexplicable behaviors.

Teddy Henfrey: A clock repairman who becomes suspicious of Griffin's strange behavior early in the story.

Mr. Cuss: A local vicar who encounters Griffin's invisibility firsthand during an interview, leading to widespread alarm.

Colonel Adye: The police officer in charge of capturing Griffin. He is involved in the final confrontation with the Invisible Man.

Millie: Mr. and Mrs. Hall's servant, who encounters some of the first odd occurrences related to Griffin's invisibility.

These characters play pivotal roles in the unfolding drama of "The Invisible Man," contributing to its exploration of science's potential dangers, the ethical dilemmas of unchecked power, and the profound loneliness that can accompany great discoveries.

Contents

Chapter 1. The Strange Man's Arrival

Chapter 2. Mr. Teddy Henfrey's First Impressions

Chapter 3. The Thousand And One Bottles

Chapter 4. Mr. Cuss Interviews The Stranger

Chapter 5. The Burglary At The Vicarage

Chapter 6. The Furniture That Went Mad

Chapter 7. The Unveiling Of The Stranger

Chapter 8. In Transit

Chapter 9. Mr. Thomas Marvel

Chapter 10. Mr. Marvel's Visit To Iping

Chapter 11. In The "Coach And Horses"

Chapter 12. The Invisible Man Loses His Temper

Chapter 13. Mr. Marvel Discusses His Resignation

Chapter 14. At Port Stowe

Chapter 15. The Man Who Was Running

Chapter 16. In The "Jolly Cricketers"

Chapter 17. Dr. Kemp's Visitor

Chapter 18. The Invisible Man Sleeps

Chapter 19. Certain First Principles

Chapter 20. At The House In Great Portland Street

Chapter 21. In Oxford Street

Chapter 22. In The Emporium

Chapter 23. In Drury Lane

Chapter 24. The Plan That Failed

Chapter 25. The Hunting Of The Invisible Man

Chapter 26. The Wicksteed Murder

Chapter 27. The Siege Of Kemp's House

Chapter 28. The Hunter Hunted

The Epilogue

Chapter 1. The Strange Man's Arrival

The stranger came early in February, one wintry day, through a biting wind and a driving snow, the last snowfall of the year, over the down, walking from Bramblehurst railway station, and carrying a little black portmanteau in his thickly gloved hand. He was wrapped up from head to foot, and the brim of his soft felt hat hid every inch of his face but the shiny tip of his nose; the snow had piled itself against his shoulders and chest, and added a white crest to the burden he carried. He staggered into the "Coach and Horses" more dead than alive, and flung his portmanteau down. "A fire," he cried, "in the name of human charity! A room and a fire!" He stamped and shook the snow from off himself in the bar, and followed Mrs. Hall into her guest parlour to strike his bargain. And with that much introduction, that and a couple of sovereigns flung upon the table, he took up his quarters in the inn.

Mrs. Hall lit the fire and left him there while she went to prepare him a meal with her own hands. A guest to stop at Iping in the wintertime was an unheard-of piece of luck, let alone a guest who was no "haggler," and she was resolved to show herself worthy of her good fortune. As soon as the bacon was well under way, and Millie, her lymphatic maid, had been brisked up a bit by a few deftly chosen expressions of contempt, she carried the cloth, plates, and glasses into the parlour and began to lay them with the utmost éclat. Although the fire was burning up briskly, she was surprised to see that her visitor still wore his hat and coat, standing with his back to her and staring out of the window at the falling snow in the yard. His gloved hands were clasped behind him, and he seemed to be lost in thought. She noticed that the melting snow that still sprinkled his shoulders dripped upon her carpet. "Can I take your hat and coat, sir?" she said, "and give them a good dry in the kitchen?"

"No," he said without turning.

She was not sure she had heard him, and was about to repeat her question.

He turned his head and looked at her over his shoulder. "I prefer to keep them on," he said with emphasis, and she noticed that he wore big blue spectacles with sidelights, and had a bush side-whisker over his coat-collar that completely hid his cheeks and face.

"Very well, sir," she said. "As you like. In a bit the room will be warmer."

He made no answer, and had turned his face away from her again, and Mrs. Hall, feeling that her conversational advances were ill-timed, laid the rest of the table things in a quick staccato and whisked out of the room. When she returned he was still standing there, like a man of stone, his back hunched, his collar turned up, his dripping hat-brim turned down, hiding his face and ears completely. She put down the eggs and bacon with considerable emphasis, and called rather than said to him, "Your lunch is served, sir."

"Thank you," he said at the same time, and did not stir until she was closing the door. Then he swung round and approached the table with a certain eager quickness.

As she went behind the bar to the kitchen she heard a sound repeated at regular intervals. Chirk, chirk, chirk, it went, the sound of a spoon being rapidly whisked round a basin. "That girl!" she said. "There! I clean forgot it. It's her being so long!" And while she herself finished mixing the mustard, she gave Millie a few verbal stabs for her excessive slowness. She had cooked the ham and eggs, laid the table, and done everything, while Millie (help indeed!) had only succeeded in delaying the mustard. And him a new guest and wanting to stay! Then she filled the mustard pot, and, putting it with a certain stateliness upon a gold and black tea-tray, carried it into the parlour.

She rapped and entered promptly. As she did so her visitor moved quickly, so that she got but a glimpse of a white object disappearing behind the table. It would seem he was picking something from the floor. She rapped down the mustard pot on the table, and then she noticed the overcoat and hat had been taken off and put over a chair in front of the fire, and a pair of wet boots threatened rust to her steel fender. She went to these things resolutely. "I suppose I may have them to dry now," she said in a voice that brooked no denial.

"Leave the hat," said her visitor, in a muffled voice, and turning she saw he had raised his head and was sitting and looking at her.

For a moment she stood gaping at him, too surprised to speak.

He held a white cloth—it was a serviette he had brought with him—over the lower part of his face, so that his mouth and jaws were completely hidden, and that was the reason of his muffled voice. But it was not that which startled Mrs. Hall. It was the fact that all his forehead above his blue glasses was covered by a white bandage, and that another covered his ears, leaving not a scrap of his face exposed excepting only his pink, peaked nose. It was bright, pink, and shiny just as it had been at first. He wore a dark-brown velvet jacket with a high, black, linen-lined collar turned up about his neck. The thick black hair, escaping as it could below and between the cross bandages, projected in curious tails and horns, giving him the strangest appearance conceivable. This muffled and bandaged head was so unlike what she had anticipated, that for a moment she was rigid.

He did not remove the serviette, but remained holding it, as she saw now, with a brown gloved hand, and regarding her with his inscrutable blue glasses. "Leave the hat," he said, speaking very distinctly through the white cloth.

Her nerves began to recover from the shock they had received. She placed the hat on the chair again by the fire. "I didn't know, sir," she began, "that—" and she stopped embarrassed.

"Thank you," he said drily, glancing from her to the door and then at her again.

"I'll have them nicely dried, sir, at once," she said, and carried his clothes out of the room. She glanced at his white-swathed head and blue goggles again as she was going out of the door; but his napkin was still in front of his face. She shivered a little as she closed the door behind her, and her face was eloquent of her surprise and perplexity. "I never," she whispered. "There!" She went quite softly to the kitchen, and was too preoccupied to ask Millie what she was messing about with now, when she got there.

The visitor sat and listened to her retreating feet. He glanced inquiringly at the window before he removed his serviette, and resumed his meal. He took a mouthful, glanced suspiciously at the window, took another mouthful, then rose and, taking the serviette in his hand, walked across the room and pulled the blind down to the top of the white muslin that obscured the lower panes. This left the room in a twilight. This done, he returned with an easier air to the table and his meal.

"The poor soul's had an accident or an op'ration or somethin'," said Mrs. Hall. "What a turn them bandages did give me, to be sure!"

She put on some more coal, unfolded the clothes-horse, and extended the traveller's coat upon this. "And they goggles! Why, he looked more like a divin' helmet than a human man!" She hung his muffler on a corner of the horse. "And holding that handkerchief over his mouth all the time. Talkin' through it! ... Perhaps his mouth was hurt too—maybe."

She turned round, as one who suddenly remembers. "Bless my soul alive!" she said, going off at a tangent; "ain't you done them taters yet, Millie?"

When Mrs. Hall went to clear away the stranger's lunch, her idea that his mouth must also have been cut or disfigured in the accident she supposed him to have suffered, was confirmed, for he was smoking a pipe, and all the time that she was in the room he never loosened the silk muffler he had wrapped round the lower part of his face to put the mouthpiece to his lips. Yet it was not forgetfulness, for she saw he glanced at it as it smouldered out. He sat in the corner with his back to the window-blind and spoke now, having eaten and drunk and being comfortably warmed through, with less aggressive brevity than before. The reflection of the fire lent a kind of red animation to his big spectacles they had lacked hitherto.

"I have some luggage," he said, "at Bramblehurst station," and he asked her how he could have it sent. He bowed his bandaged head quite politely in acknowledgment of her explanation. "To-morrow?" he said. "There is no speedier delivery?" and seemed quite disappointed when she answered, "No." Was she quite sure? No man with a trap who would go over?

Mrs. Hall, nothing loath, answered his questions and developed a conversation. "It's a steep road by the down, sir," she said in answer to the question about a trap; and then, snatching at an opening, said, "It was there a carriage was upsettled, a year ago and more. A gentleman killed, besides his coachman. Accidents, sir, happen in a moment, don't they?"

But the visitor was not to be drawn so easily. "They do," he said through his muffler, eyeing her quietly through his impenetrable glasses.

"But they take long enough to get well, don't they? ... There was my sister's son, Tom, jest cut his arm with a scythe, tumbled on it in the 'ayfield, and, bless me! he was three months tied up sir. You'd hardly believe it. It's regular given me a dread of a scythe, sir."

"I can quite understand that," said the visitor.

"He was afraid, one time, that he'd have to have an op'ration—he was that bad, sir."

The visitor laughed abruptly, a bark of a laugh that he seemed to bite and kill in his mouth. "Was he?" he said.

"He was, sir. And no laughing matter to them as had the doing for him, as I had—my sister being took up with her little ones so much. There was bandages to do, sir, and bandages to undo. So that if I may make so bold as to say it, sir—"

"Will you get me some matches?" said the visitor, quite abruptly. "My pipe is out."

Mrs. Hall was pulled up suddenly. It was certainly rude of him, after telling him all she had done. She gasped at him for a moment, and remembered the two sovereigns. She went for the matches.

"Thanks," he said concisely, as she put them down, and turned his shoulder upon her and stared out of the window again. It was altogether too discouraging. Evidently he was sensitive on the topic of operations and bandages. She did not "make so bold as to say," however, after all. But his snubbing way had irritated her, and Millie had a hot time of it that afternoon.

The visitor remained in the parlour until four o'clock, without giving the ghost of an excuse for an intrusion. For the most part he was quite still during that time; it would seem he sat in the growing darkness smoking in the firelight—perhaps dozing.

Once or twice a curious listener might have heard him at the coals, and for the space of five minutes he was audible pacing the room. He seemed to be talking to himself. Then the armchair creaked as he sat down again.

Chapter 2. Mr. Teddy Henfrey's First Impressions

At four o'clock, when it was fairly dark and Mrs. Hall was screwing up her courage to go in and ask her visitor if he would take some tea, Teddy Henfrey, the clock-jobber, came into the bar. "My sakes! Mrs. Hall," said he, "but this is terrible weather for thin boots!" The snow outside was falling faster.

Mrs. Hall agreed, and then noticed he had his bag with him. "Now you're here, Mr. Teddy," said she, "I'd be glad if you'd give th' old clock in the parlour a bit of a look. 'Tis going, and it strikes well and hearty; but the hour-hand won't do nuthin' but point at six."

And leading the way, she went across to the parlour door and rapped and entered.

Her visitor, she saw as she opened the door, was seated in the armchair before the fire, dozing it would seem, with his bandaged head drooping on one side. The only light in the room was the red glow from the fire—which lit his eyes like adverse railway signals, but left his downcast face in darkness—and the scanty vestiges of the day that came in through the open door. Everything was ruddy, shadowy, and indistinct to her, the more so since she had just been lighting the bar lamp, and her eyes were dazzled. But for a second it seemed to her that the man she looked at had an enormous mouth wide open—a vast and incredible mouth that swallowed the whole of the lower portion of his face. It was the sensation of a moment: the white-bound head, the monstrous goggle eyes, and this huge yawn below it. Then he stirred, started up in his chair, put up his hand. She opened the door wide, so that the room was lighter, and she saw him more clearly, with the muffler held up to his face just as she had seen him hold the serviette before. The shadows, she fancied, had tricked her.

"Would you mind, sir, this man a-coming to look at the clock, sir?" she said, recovering from the momentary shock.

"Look at the clock?" he said, staring round in a drowsy manner, and speaking over his hand, and then, getting more fully awake, "certainly."

Mrs. Hall went away to get a lamp, and he rose and stretched himself. Then came the light, and Mr. Teddy Henfrey, entering, was confronted by this bandaged person. He was, he says, "taken aback."

"Good afternoon," said the stranger, regarding him—as Mr. Henfrey says, with a vivid sense of the dark spectacles—"like a lobster."

"I hope," said Mr. Henfrey, "that it's no intrusion."

"None whatever," said the stranger. "Though, I understand," he said turning to Mrs. Hall, "that this room is really to be mine for my own private use."

"I thought, sir," said Mrs. Hall, "you'd prefer the clock—"

"Certainly," said the stranger, "certainly—but, as a rule, I like to be alone and undisturbed.

"But I'm really glad to have the clock seen to," he said, seeing a certain hesitation in Mr. Henfrey's manner. "Very glad." Mr. Henfrey had intended to apologise and withdraw, but this anticipation reassured him. The stranger turned round with his back to the fireplace and put his hands behind his back. "And presently," he said, "when the clock-mending is over, I think I should like to have some tea. But not till the clock-mending is over."

Mrs. Hall was about to leave the room—she made no conversational advances this time, because she did not want to be snubbed in front of Mr. Henfrey—when her visitor asked her if she had made any arrangements about his boxes at Bramblehurst. She told him she had mentioned the matter to the postman, and that the carrier could bring them over on the morrow. "You are certain that is the earliest?" he said.

She was certain, with a marked coldness.

"I should explain," he added, "what I was really too cold and fatigued to do before, that I am an experimental investigator."

"Indeed, sir," said Mrs. Hall, much impressed.

"And my baggage contains apparatus and appliances."

"Very useful things indeed they are, sir," said Mrs. Hall.

"And I'm very naturally anxious to get on with my inquiries."

"Of course, sir."

"My reason for coming to Iping," he proceeded, with a certain deliberation of manner, "was ... a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. In addition to my work, an accident—"

"I thought as much," said Mrs. Hall to herself.

"—necessitates a certain retirement. My eyes—are sometimes so weak and painful that I have to shut myself up in the dark for hours together. Lock myself up. Sometimes—now and then. Not at present, certainly. At such times the slightest disturbance, the entry of a stranger into the room, is a source of excruciating annoyance to me—it is well these things should be understood."

"Certainly, sir," said Mrs. Hall. "And if I might make so bold as to ask—"

"That I think, is all," said the stranger, with that quietly irresistible air of finality he could assume at will. Mrs. Hall reserved her question and sympathy for a better occasion.