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  • The First Men in the Moon

  • By: H. G. Wells
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (59 ratings)
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The First Men in the Moon cover art

The First Men in the Moon

By: H. G. Wells
Narrated by: John Banks
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Summary

As a result of an accident with an experiment, two unlikely friends are propelled on a journey to the moon. But a whole new universe of terrors await them there, including the insectoid Selenites. Will they be able to overcome these perils and find a safe way home?

When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to the Kent coast to write a play, he meets by chance the brilliant Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist on the brink of developing a material that blocks gravity. Cavor soon succeeds in his experiments, only to tell a stunned Bedford the invention makes possible one of the oldest dreams of humanity: a journey to the moon.

With Bedford motivated by money, and Cavor by the desire for knowledge, the two embark on the expedition. But neither are prepared for what they find - a world of freezing nights, boiling days and sinister alien life, on which they may be trapped forever.

About the Narrator: John Banks is one of the UK's most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor.

About the Author: Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the "father of science fiction." His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

©2017 Fantom Films (P)2017 Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd/Fantom Publishing

What listeners say about The First Men in the Moon

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not great

This is not Wells' best work. I had a lot of trouble suspending belief - not of the obvious things such as the massive discrepancies between the ideas here and of what we now know of space and the moon etc... I was okay with that - what really bothered me was the silly way that they just decided that they would go to the moon in the first place - without test flights or proper preparations. I can't believe that anyone would be that stupid!

And that whole ending should have been cut - Everything from the 2 year later "edit" onwards. It was just like that person everyone knows who just never knows when to stop talking - you're standing there in your coat and hat, car keys in hand and giving all the signs that you are leaving now but they're still there just as eagerly telling you all the details about the dream they had last night or their ingrown toenail.

Narrator was decent enough. The way the giant insects spoke was a little questionable perhaps, but that might have been at least just as much to do with how it was written.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

great performance

it was a little hard to finish and it seems to drill on a bit. but the narrator was top notch, and the only reason I got through it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

ripping yarn for light entertainment

great to listen to a master of imagination foretelling his vision of the future from 1900

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