The whole idea of the book comes from the idea of two men going to the moon in a time way before such things were possible. In fact, that actually is what it would have been like at the turn of the century. Nobody really knew what was up there, even though we would eventually learn about it many decades later. The imagination it took to write this book as good as it is written is astounding.
Not only does it describe the surprisingly plausible concept of the craft used to get there, but then we find an entire alien race is living there underneath the surface. Almost everything you could want to know is explained but in a way that feels like it's a very real account.
The first section of the book is really just about the adventure of traveling there and getting lost and confused about everything. This section is very fast paced and a bit mixed in feel. The weird thing about this story is that it actually feels kind of goofy when it starts, but then it takes a turn towards horror once they actually get to the moon. I love the contrast.
The last section of the book acts as a lore dump for the "Selenites" who are the moon people. Talking too much about them seems like really bad spoilers to me. It's something the book waits until the end to really dish out. I'll just say that I found their lives and culture extraordinarily fascinating, and it was making me read for longer periods than I am used to. Heck, the fact that they were even up there was fascinating enough.
If you are able to detach yourself from all the information we've been given by NASA, "The First Men in the Moon" is an easy recommendation. And really the best thing about this story is that it is written in a way that makes it seem both relatable and plausible. It almost feels like it is happening as you read it. This one is really worth your time.
This blog was written on October 8, 2022.
Thank you for reading my blog! Did you enjoy it? Either way, you can comment below, or you can email me at tkwadeauthor@gmail.com. Also stop by my Amazon.com listing by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/T.K.-Wade/e/B07BQK9RTZ
Check out my books! Thanks!
Interesting that learning about what could only be imagined did not render the fantasy obsolete. On the contrary: BECAUSE we know the reality, the fiction is especially endearing. We must our ignorance, when we were freely allowed to make the moon whatever we wanted it to be.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this version of the moon is every bit as real as the one that exists in reality. That is how good the book was.
DeleteTo write a plausible tale about a place they had not visited is a feat unto itself. What amazes me is just how much was known at that time. They did the best they could with the information they had.
ReplyDeleteYes, and that in and of itself makes the whole thing seem plausible. It sounds like the author knows what he is talking about, and that helps a lot.
DeleteThe prospect of exploring the unknown stirs our imagination. H.G. Wells filled the gaps of our knowledge with his own imagination. Even as our modern information makes his ideas seem silly on the surface, it does not take away from the fact he made a world of his own and took it seriously.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of there being life on the moon. That is so cool. Even knowing that it is lifeless now, the book still works!
Delete