The Invisible Man

6b H. G. Wells. London: C. Arthur Pearson, 1897. FIRST EDITION 

Notes

The Invisible Man is a science fiction novel published in 1897 about a brilliant but unstable scientist, Griffin, who discovers a way to make himself invisible. Rather than using his discovery for good, Griffin descends into paranoia, isolation, and violence, attempting to impose a “Reign of Terror” while hiding in the English countryside. The novel blends suspense and dark humor with social commentary, exploring themes of unchecked scientific ambition, moral responsibility, and the psychological effects of alienation. It remains one of the earliest and most influential works centered on invisibility in modern literature.

H. G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English writer often called one of the “fathers of science fiction.” Trained in science under biologist T. H. Huxley, Wells brought a strong scientific imagination to his fiction, producing classics such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man. His works frequently examine the social and ethical consequences of scientific progress, reflecting both optimism and anxiety about the rapid technological changes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Description

Red cloth binding. Gilt lettering to upper board and spine. Darkening to boards and sun fading to spine. Crease down center of spin affecting the clarity of the lettering. Minimal fraying to points. Shining stain to upper board. Good condition overall.