The War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel by English author H. G. Wells first published in book form in 1898. It is one of the earliest stories that detail a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race and is one of the most commented-on works in the science fiction canon. The novel is the first-person narrative of both an unnamed protagonist in Surrey and of his younger brother in London as southern England is invaded by Martians. The plot has been related to invasion literature of the time. The novel has been variously interpreted as a commentary on evolutionary theory, British imperialism, and generally Victorian superstitions, fears and prejudices. The War of the Worlds has been both popular (having never been out of print) and influential, spawning half a dozen feature films, radio dramas, a record album, various comic book adaptations, a television series, and sequels or parallel stories by other authors.
