The Crystal Egg short story review

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Tell Tale Books

3 жыл бұрын

In my latest H. G. Wells review I discuss The Crystal Egg.

Пікірлер: 9

@litsci4690 5 ай бұрын

Just saw your review. In this story, Wells is commenting on the rise of science and the simultaneously popular fascination with the occult. The egg is symbolic of both a scrying ball and of the visions newly made possible by telescopy, microscopy, and photography. Wells humorously juxtaposes the world of seances and spirit photographs with the world of astronomers such as Percival Lowell. The inherently subjective nature of astronomers' observations of Mars and interpretations thereof is shown to be all too similar to things such as the Cottingley fairies, etc. All of this would have been familiar to readers of the time, but is largely forgotten now. Nonetheless, the story still holds up. May I suggest that you also read Jack London's "The Red One," which is far too little known.

@telltalebooks 5 ай бұрын

Interesting comments! I’ve never seen the story that way, though I’ve always felt there is a certain gothic feel to Wells’ stories. I will have to look up the London story!

@litsci4690 5 ай бұрын

@@telltalebooks Not many know that London also wrote science fiction, and "The Red One" was one of his last--influenced by Carl Jung.

@telltalebooks 5 ай бұрын

Looking up information, London wrote quite a lot of fantastic stories. The ones I am most familiar with are The Iron Heel, Star Rover and The Scarlet Plague, though I admit that I have not yet read any of his stories. I will correct that.

@litsci4690 5 ай бұрын

@@telltalebooks Not to overwhelm you, but another interesting writer of "fantastic" stories is Ambrose Bierce. Both his Civil War fiction and his supernatural tales are quite interesting psychologically.

@telltalebooks 5 ай бұрын

@litsci4690 I’ve read Bierce. He is really great and on my list to talk about in the future. So many to do!

@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587 3 жыл бұрын

Hi greg....thanks for revisiting these short stories. ..you clearly LOVE books! Were you tempted by the terry pratchett doc? Best wishes and take care

@telltalebooks 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Emily sounded like she was interested in the Terry Pratchett, but we both have a very busy spring. The soonest we may fit it into our schedule would be this summer. Stay tuned!