The Star

by H. G. Wells

Downloads: Under 100
First published: 1897
Pages: 10

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About this book

The Star tells of an approaching celestial body and an astronomer who calculates its effects while fearing wreckage on earth. An announcement from three observatories reports that the motion of the planet Neptune has become erratic. Scientific observers find the news remarkable even before learning that the new body is growing larger and brighter and moving differently from the planets.

Church bells summon people to stop sleeping and sinning and to gather for prayer while the star rises larger and brighter overhead. Roads leading to high country are lit and crowded all night long as the cities' streets and houses remain illuminated. The account describes hotter days and a larger sun as storms subside, with the moon reduced to a third of its former size.

About the author

H. G. Wells

Herbert George Wells was an English writer, prolific in many genres. He wrote more than forty novels and dozens of short stories. His non-fiction output included works of social commentary, politics, history, popular science, satire, biography, and autobiography.