Herbert George Wells was an English novelist and prolific writer. His many works included contemporary novels, writings on history, along with political and social commentary. He is, to most of us, most familiar for his science fiction novels. Wells, and author Jules Verne, are considered to be the foremost innovators of the science fiction genre and have been referred to as the "fathers of science fiction." Some of Wells most famous science fiction writings that have been made into motion pictures include "The Island of Doctor Moreau," "The Time Machine," "The War of the Worlds," and "The Invisible Man."

From Reading to Writing

After suffering an accident during his youth, Wells became bed-ridden for a time and to help cope with the situation, he turned to reading books his father would bring him from the library. These books opened a new chapter in Wells' life leading to his fascination for the fictional world. The desire to write followed proving to be the perfect outlet for his fantasies and ideas.

Themes in Wells’ Novels

Novels like "In The Days of the Comet," or "The Shape of Things To Come" primarily show the world moving toward a catastrophic state. However, the characters in these novels would find ways to cope with the worlds problems and come to realize a better way of living. His novel "The Shape of Things To Come" was later adapted into Alexander Korda’s 1936 film "Things to Come." The story proved prophetic as a World War was in the not to distant future. In addition, Wells novels also investigated the idea of nature versus nurture and would question humanity as he did with his novel "The Island of Doctor Moreau."

In 1920, just after the war, Wells published his best-selling three volume work, "The Outline of History" which helped to popularize writings on world history. Two years later, Wells would produce a shorter work also pertaining to world history; "A Short History of the World," which proved to be equally popular. Two other long works followed: "The Science of Life" and "The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind." Today, "The Outline of History" remains in print, and "A Short History of the World" was been re-edited in 2006.

Wells’ nonfictional works have both significance and an underlying purpose. Wells envisioned mankind's struggle for survival with people searching for rational ways to save humanity. This is a quest that continues today.

Film Adaptations of Wells’ Work

Several of H.G. Wells’ classic novels have been adapted into film versions. Indeed, his works have produced some of the best films of the 20th century.

"The Time Machine," which initially appeared in his journal called "The Chronic Argonauts," has been produced into several film versions. This novel was first published in 1895.

However, "The War of the Worlds" written in 1898 is probably his best known film adaptation. Despite several decades passing since the novel was first released, "The War of the Worlds" was, and is still, able to capture the attention of moviegoers. The 1953 version achieved a considerable amount of success and is considered a sci-fi classic, while the 2005 remake by Steven Spielberg achieved undeniable box office success.

H.G. Wells had indeed reinvented the literary wheel and changed the way we look at literature by introducing different genre and devising new ways of interpreting literature and its impact on society.