This is a great book about a great man. In particular, Michael Coren has penetrated behind the popular acclamations of H. G. Wells as a social prophet, uncovering his struggle to articulate a transcendent dimension in human life which religions falsify in their very efforts to express it. He's one of a few commentators to mention the Wells novel The Research Magnificent, which has nothing to do with science. It is the story of a man's lifelong conviction that (and I quote), 'behind the dingy face of this world ... the baseness and dullness of himself and all of us, lurked the living jewels of heaven, the light of glory, things unspeakable'.
Wells's genius, which was what caused women to fall in love with him despite his unprepossessing appearance and frequent unkindness, and brought hope to millions all over the world, was his recognition that all human ills spring from efforts to organise life and society without allowing for this need to transcend the mundane status quo and reach for 'things unspeakable'. It is this need that impels all art, science and social reform, and it is betrayed by any philosophy urging conformity with the mundane status quo, whether in the name of religious belief in the world's divine order, or so-called economic rationality, or - what I fear may be the new betrayal - belief in maintaining 'harmony with nature'. J. B. Priestly, who was well aware of Wells's failings and politically incorrect prejudices, was able to say at his funeral in 1946 that 'this was a man whose word was light in a thousand dark places'.
Professor John Wren-Lewis, 1/22 Cliffbrook Parade, Clovelly NSW 2031, Australia.
Previous / Next / Table of Contents