H.G. Wells was described by one of his European critics as a 'seismograph of his age'. He is one of the founding fathers of modern science fiction, and as a novelist, essayist, educationalist and political propagandist his influence has been felt in every European country. This collection of essays by scholarly experts shows the varied and dramatic nature of Wells's reception, including translations, critical appraisals, novels and films on Wellsian themes, and responses to his own well-publicized visits to Russia and elsewhere. The authors chart the intense ideological debate that his writings occasioned, particularly in the inter-war years, and the censorship of his books in Nazi Germany and Francoist Spain. This book offers pioneering insights into Wells's contribution to 20th century European literature and to modern political ideas, including the idea of European union.
Reception of H.G. Wells in Europe Review
Leading international scholars from across Europe explore the reception of Wells across the continent, including his cinematic afterlives. Includes a historical timeline and comprehensive bibliography.
Series Editor's Preface, Elinor Shaffer \ Acknowledgements \ List of Contributors \ Timeline: European Reception of H. G. Wells, Patrick Parrinder \ Abbreviations \ Introduction, Patrick Parrinder \ FRENCH \ 1. H. G. Wells's Critical Reception in France, Joseph Altairac, trans. Barbara Ghiringhelli \ 2. Henry-D. Davray and Mercure de France, Annie Escuret \ RUSSIAN \ 3. Future Perfect: H. G. Wells and Bolshevik Russia, 1917-1932, Roger Cockrell \ 4. H. G. Wells in Russian Literary Criticism, 1890s-1940s, Adelaida Lyubimova and Boris Proskurnin \ 5. Russia Revisited, Vera Shamina and Maria Kozyreva \ GERMAN \ 6. White Elephants and Black Machines: H. G. Wells and German Culture, 1920-1945, Elmar Schenkel \ 7. Ignorance, Opportunism, Propaganda, and Dissent: The Reception of H. G. Wells in Nazi Germany, Richard Nate \ POLISH \ 8. H. G. WelóH