H G Wells

Tales of Space and Time H G Wells

This is a collection of five short stories by H. G. Wells, and for the most part they're probably among his best. No real clunkers here, and they all showcase Wells's fertile imagination. "The Crystal Egg" gives a glimpse into a fascinating world of aliens but never enters that world. In a precursive, Twilight-Zone-esque style, the final conclusion is left up to the reader. "The Star" describes the passing of a wandering star into our solar system, as told from the perspective of early-twentieth-century science. The story details the storms, destruction, and disasters that the passing star's gravity generates within the Earth's biosphere, and finishes with the Martian perspective as viewed from a distance. "A Story of the Stone Age" graphically depicts the life-and-death adventures of a young man and woman, Ugh-lomi and Eudena, as they negotiate the social and natural pressures of their time. The background fauna and social structure of their tribe, whether correct or not, is decribed in rich detail and gives realism and drama to the journey of the two main characters as they first flee their tribe and then return. "A Story of the Days to Come" similarly follows a young man and woman, Denton and Elizabeth, as they deal with the same type of drama and adventures in a future time. Again, it has its own social structure, along with some futuristic technology that has isolated the human race within the comfort of advanced cities, never daring to venture outside until Denton and Elizabeth decide that they want to return to nature. "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" is a light-hearted story about a plain and simple man with a plain and simple name, Mr. Fotheringay, who suddenly realizes that he can work miracles. Unfortunately for him, he's a little sloppy with one final miracle, and gets a shocking result.