Through a Window

by H.G. Wells

Through a Window is a short story by H. G. Wells. Herbert George "H. G." Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is sometimes called "The Father of Science Fiction," as are Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback. His most notable science fiction works include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Wells's earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of "Journalist." Most of his later novels were not science fiction. Some described lower-middle class life (Kipps; The History of Mr Polly), leading him to be touted as a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole. Wells's first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought (1901). When originally serialised in a magazine it was subtitled, "An Experiment in Prophecy," and is considered his most explicitly futuristic work. It offered the immediate political message of the privileged sections of society continuing to bar capable men from other classes from advancement until war would force a need to employ those most able, rather than the traditional upper classes, as leaders. Anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000, the book is interesting both for its hits (trains and cars resulting in the dispersion of population from cities to suburbs; moral restrictions declining as men and women seek greater sexual freedom; the defeat of German militarism, and the existence of a European Union) and its misses (he did not expect successful aircraft before 1950, and averred that "my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocate its crew and founder at sea").

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

24 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 1894

About the author

Herbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).

Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.

He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.

More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...

http://www.online-literature.com/well...

http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells

Reviews

[Duane Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1894 short story by H.G. Wells is nothing special as stories go, but it was the inspiration for Cornell Woolrich’s 1942 short story “Rear Window”, which then was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 classic film by the same name. So, thank you H.G. Wells.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[Lesa Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this short story, a man with broken legs only entertainment is watching the river and its affairs through a window. One day, when shocking events transpire but move out of frame leaving him hanging, he says: "It's worse than Edwin Drood!" Ha! Good one, Mr. Wells!

This isn't my favorite Wells' story but he is fast becoming one of my favorite late 19th/early 20th century short story authors.

[Niklas Zenius Jespersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jeg kan egentlig rigtig godt lide den første del og udgangspunktet for historien, nemlig om en handikappet mand der må følge verden igennem at se ud på den igennem et vindue. Som en der selv har været meget syg i perioder kan jeg relatere og det er sjældent at det perspektiv repræsenteres i litteraturen. Desværre viser anden halvdel sig at være groft forfærdeligt racistisk hvilket trækker rimelig meget ned og gør det mildt sagt svært, at "nyde" historien.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, it made me keep thinking of Hitchcocks 'Rear Window' with Jimmy Stewart in and has all the hall marks of a potential Hitchcock movie.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

~ 2.5~

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lesson: Always leave a window open! Fun things can happen.

[Hari Brandl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly grisly precursor to stories such as the basis for Hitchcock's "Rear Window". Dated in its depiction of dark a skinned people.

[Aaron A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would recommend everyone to read Cornell Woolrich's It Had to Be Murder version.

[Fadeout Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

We discussed "Through a Window" in an episode of Fadeout Books.
Maggie is glad this wasn't the only story for the episode; it’s the kind of short story that makes freshmen hate English lit. 1 star
Amelia thinks it’s very short and abrupt and is also glad it was redone. 2 stars
Miranda finds its premise interesting but does not care for the protagonist or plot of the story. 2 stars

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the story itself, and an extra star for inspiring Cornell Woolrich to write It Had to Be Murder which was itself the source for Hitchcock's Rear Window.

[Aylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rear window filminin uyarlandigi it had to be murder hikayesine ilham veren hikaye.