H. G. Wells 
When The Sleeper Wakes (A Dystopian Science Fiction Classic) 

H.G. Wells’ ‘When The Sleeper Wakes’ is a groundbreaking dystopian science fiction classic that explores the consequences of a world dominated by technology and capitalism. Written in Wells’ signature prescient style, the novel depicts a future where the protagonist falls into a deep sleep only to wake up in a society ruled by a tyrannical oligarchy. The vivid imagery and futuristic concepts in the book mirror Wells’ anxieties about the direction of modern society and the potential dangers of unchecked technological progress. The book serves as a cautionary tale about the excesses of power and the importance of individual agency in the face of oppression.

Giới thiệu về tác giả

Herbert George Wells, known widely as H. G. Wells, was an English writer born on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent. Wells garnered widespread recognition as a pioneer of the science fiction genre, an accolade substantiated by his seminal works which include ‘The Time Machine’ (1895), ‘The Invisible Man’ (1897), and ‘The War of the Worlds’ (1898). His literature often delved into explorations of contemporary society, politics, and the implications of modernity, knitted within fantastical and speculative narratives. ‘When The Sleeper Wakes, ‘ published in 1899, is one such work that exemplifies his distinctive dystopian vision. The book, a science fiction classic, portrays a protagonist who falls into a trance-like sleep, waking centuries later to a drastically changed world where his accumulated wealth holds immense power. This narrative, like many of Wells’s stories, addresses themes of social injustice, the perils of unchecked capitalism, and the unpredictability of technological progress. Wells’s writing is characterized by his foresight, vivid imagination, and the integration of his progressive, though sometimes controversial, socio-political views. As a prolific author, Wells’s contributions extend beyond fiction; he was also an accomplished historian and social commentator. His deeply influential oeuvre cemented his reputation as a literary giant. Wells passed away on August 13, 1946, leaving behind a legacy that continues to evoke discourse on the direction of human progress and the ethics of scientific endeavor.