The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds, published in 1898, tells of an invasion of England by Martians who land in cylinders on Horsell Common, near Woking, and advance on London in towering fighting machines armed with a heat ray and poisonous black smoke. The narrator, a writer who lives in the path of the invasion, describes the panic on the roads, the flight from the capital, the useless gallantry of the artillery and the weeks he spends hiding in a ruined house with a curate who is losing his mind. H. G. Wells turned the imperial adventure story inside out by making the English the natives, and almost every later story of alien invasion descends from this one. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The War of the Worlds online?
Yes. The War of the Worlds opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The War of the Worlds free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The War of the Worlds is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The War of the Worlds in the public domain?
Yes. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The War of the Worlds?
About 4 h 01 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The War of the Worlds?
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
