Twelve Stories and a Dream by H. G. Wells AUDIOBOOK

H. G. Wells’s "Twelve Stories and a Dream" presents a masterful exploration of the speculative and uncanny, delivered through the versatile storytelling of one of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s pivotal literary figures. In these thirteen tales, Wells turns his incisive intellect and caustic wit toward the convergence of modern science and the mysteries of human aspiration—producing stories that intertwine speculation, skepticism, and psychological depth.

The lead story, "Filmer," epitomizes Wells’s fascination with invention and the ambiguous role of the solitary scientist. Through painstakingly detailed character study and an evocative depiction of scientific progress, Wells reveals both the grandeur and isolating cost of discovery. The narrative forms a meditation on the figure of the misunderstood genius, at once celebrated and alienated by a fickle society, and portrays the allure and peril inherent in technological pursuit. As with many of Wells’s stories, the mood is meticulous, occasionally satirical, laced with a sense of melancholy at the intersection of ambition and frailty.

The collection as a whole ranges broadly—encompassing tales of invention, cosmic speculation, quiet horror, and the surreal territory of dreams. Wells’s prose demonstrates a crispness and subtlety, attentive to the professional anxieties and philosophical uncertainties of his age. His characters, often outsiders or visionaries, confront a changing world with skepticism or hope, resulting in narratives that are as rich in atmosphere as they are in ideas. Listeners can expect a literary experience that shifts seamlessly from the fantastical to the tragic, offering both the pleasures of finely wrought fiction and the stimulation of speculative thought.

"Twelve Stories and a Dream" remains an exemplary reading for those fascinated by the origins of modern science fiction, the perils of innovation, and the poetic resonance of the enigmatic.

Audiobook time & format : 7h26m14s, OPUS, 347 Mo
Audiobook free extract time & format : 5m (see below to listen), WAV
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