Critical Mass July: Exploring HG Wells – a man ahead of his time!

For the July Meeting, we will look at early work of H G Wells.

In Person: 6:30 Minor Works Building, Wednesday 16th July

Visionary writer HG Wells (1866-1946) was both a wonderful storyteller as well as masterful at including his significant scientific knowledge and curiosity into his stories. While he is best known for his SF, he was a hugely prolific writer across wide areas of fiction and non-fiction.

Much like Jules Verne before him, he was ahead of his time, with many of his imaginings proving to be on track (pre-emptive descriptions of aeroplanes, the tank, space travel, the atomic bomb, satellite television and the internet can be found in his works).

For the Critical Mass:

• Read the 2 short stories below for group discussion
• If you have time, read longer story The World Set Free (or Wikipedia summary https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Set_Free) about atomic weapons
• Be ready to discuss other Wells titles you have read.

The Stolen Bacillus (15 minute read)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12750/12750-h/12750-h.htm#link2H_4_0001
+numerous other short stories at this link if you’re keen!

The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham (20 minute read)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42989/42989-h/42989-h.htm#THE_STORY_OF_THE_LATE_MR_ELVESHAM
(More short stories there, too)

The World Set Free (4 hour read)
Published in 1914, pre-emptively explores atomic bomb creation.
https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-g-wells/the-world-set-free

By Zoom:
6:30 pm Adelaide, 7pm Melbourne, 10am London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89371483403?pwd=VRKdKuDAjSxPIbOaNaUPecnbiofiD5.1

Meeting ID: 893 7148 3403
Passcode: 589451