H.G. Wells wrote stories that really get you thinking about the future and society. He imagined wild futures shaped by science, but always had something to say about the world now. Did you read *The Time Machine* and *The War of the Worlds* and wish for more?
If so, you might want to know about authors with a similar knack for inventive stories and sharp observations about society. This article points to some writers you might enjoy.
Jules Verne was a French author who created captivating adventures blending science fiction with exploration, imagination, and visionary ideas. Readers who enjoy H. G. Wells might find similar enjoyment in Verne’s thrilling tales like “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
In this story, Professor Lidenbrock finds a cryptic manuscript, which leads him and his nephew Axel on an expedition to discover hidden worlds beneath Earth’s surface.
They face several unexpected dangers and wondrous discoveries as they descend deeper into an unknown underground realm. The vivid imagination and believable characters in Jules Verne’s writing capture the thrill of scientific curiosity and adventure.
Arthur Conan Doyle is a master storyteller known for creating intriguing plots around mysterious and thought-provoking themes. Fans of H.G. Wells who appreciate a blend of suspense, science, and thoughtful storytelling may enjoy “The Lost World”.
This tale follows Professor Challenger and a team of explorers into a hidden plateau deep in the Amazon rainforest. There they discover prehistoric creatures and unexpected dangers, raising fascinating questions of survival and science.
The vivid imagery, suspenseful scenes, and lively character interactions give this adventure a captivating feel reminiscent of Wells’ own imaginative adventures.
Mary Shelley is an author you might enjoy if you’re a fan of H. G. Wells’s science fiction and attention to human nature. Her famous novel “Frankenstein” explores scientific ambition and its dangerous consequences.
Victor Frankenstein, a young ambitious scientist, becomes obsessed with creating human life. He succeeds but is horrified by the being he creates. The Creature, abandoned and isolated, seeks acceptance and revenge in a world that rejects him.
The story mixes gothic horror and philosophical reflections on humanity’s limits and responsibilities, themes you might appreciate if you enjoy H. G. Wells.
If you enjoy the imaginative worlds and adventures of H.G. Wells, Edgar Rice Burroughs could be another author to explore. Burroughs is known for exciting stories that transport readers to thrilling and unfamiliar worlds, especially in his classic novel “A Princess of Mars”.
The book follows John Carter, a Civil War veteran mysteriously transported to Mars, where he encounters strange alien creatures, rich civilizations, intense battles, and alliances he couldn’t have imagined.
It’s a captivating journey of courage, survival, and exploration set in an imaginative landscape. Readers drawn to the adventurous tone and unique settings found in Wells’ tales may find the imaginative storytelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs equally rewarding.
Isaac Asimov was a master of science fiction who explored big ideas through storytelling, similar to what H. G. Wells did a generation earlier.
In his classic book “Foundation,” Asimov tells the story of Hari Seldon—a brilliant mathematician who develops a science called psychohistory, capable of predicting the future of entire civilizations.
As the Galactic Empire slowly declines, Seldon creates a secret plan attempting to shorten the dark ages ahead. The novel follows the historic struggle to preserve knowledge and humanity’s greatest achievements against the tide of chaos.
If you enjoy the imaginative worlds and thought-provoking scenarios found in works by H. G. Wells, Asimov’s visionary storytelling in “Foundation” offers an equally captivating experience.
Ray Bradbury is an author whose imaginative storytelling and insightful social commentary often appeal to fans of H. G. Wells. Bradbury crafts narratives that blend human emotion, futuristic concepts, and thought-provoking themes effectively.
His book “Fahrenheit 451” is set in a society where books are banned and firemen burn them instead of putting out fires. The protagonist, Guy Montag, begins to question the world he lives in when he meets a young woman who sees life differently.
As Montag reevaluates his role and beliefs, the novel explores the value of knowledge, free thought, and individualism, themes readers of Wells may find intriguing.
Philip K. Dick was an American science fiction author known for stories that question the nature of reality and explore the human experience. If you’re a fan of H. G. Wells and enjoy narratives about society, technology, and the future, Dick’s writing will certainly resonate.
His book “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” imagines a post-apocalyptic Earth where humans live side by side with hyper-realistic androids. The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked to track down rogue androids who blend seamlessly into human society.
The story raises questions about what it truly means to be human and how society draws the line between humanity and artificial life.
Aldous Huxley was an author known for his speculative fiction that explored future possibilities. If you appreciate H.G. Wells’ imaginative visions, you might enjoy Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
This novel introduces readers to a technologically advanced and deeply unsettling future society. Here, happiness and stability are guaranteed by eliminating personal freedom, family connections, and emotional attachments.
Through characters who question this carefully controlled existence, Huxley raises intriguing questions about human nature, technology, and the meaning of happiness.
The book’s combination of sharp humor and chilling social commentary will strongly appeal to those who have enjoyed the bold visions of Wells.
Readers who enjoy H. G. Wells might find Robert Louis Stevenson intriguing as well. Stevenson excels in storytelling and vividly captures adventure and suspense.
His book “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” explores the darker side of human nature through the mysterious relationship between Dr. Henry Jekyll and the sinister Mr. Edward Hyde.
Set against the foggy backdrop of Victorian London, the novel confronts morality, duality, and hidden impulses within respectable society. Stevenson creates memorable twists and vivid characters that keep readers fascinated right up to its haunting conclusion.
J. G. Ballard was an English author known for his imaginative and thought-provoking science fiction novels. Readers who enjoy H. G. Wells’ intriguing visions of futuristic societies and adventures would appreciate Ballard’s book, “The Drowned World”.
Set in a world devastated by rising floodwaters due to climate change, the story follows scientist Dr. Robert Kerans as he navigates a submerged and tropical London. As Kerans explores the new landscape, humanity’s primal instincts begin to resurface.
Ballard expertly blends adventure with psychological insights, creating something both fresh and familiar for fans of classic speculative fiction.
If you enjoy H. G. Wells’ imaginative exploration of distinct worlds and thoughtful reflections on society, C. S. Lewis is an author worth discovering. Lewis is best known for fantasy and science fiction stories full of adventure and meaningful insight.
His novel “Out of the Silent Planet” is the first book in his Space Trilogy, chronicle of a professor named Ransom who is kidnapped and taken aboard a spacecraft bound for a distant planet called Malacandra.
There, Ransom encounters intelligent alien species and remarkable landscapes, all described vividly through Lewis’ precise prose. This planet reveals societies built upon cooperation, spirituality, and harmony—concepts very different from human civilization back on Earth.
If you appreciate Wells’ ability to portray compelling visionary characters and societies, “Out of the Silent Planet” offers a captivating perspective that uses alien worlds and conflicts to illuminate themes of ethics, spirituality, and humanity itself.
Readers who enjoy H.G. Wells’s blend of imagination, suspense, and thought-provoking storytelling may appreciate the works of Michael Crichton. Crichton is known for combining riveting adventure with meticulous science-based narratives.
His novel “Jurassic Park” centers on a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough that allows dinosaurs to be resurrected through DNA extracted from fossilized amber.
Set on an isolated tropical island, the story plunges you into a theme park designed as a dinosaur preserve where excitement soon turns to terror as control slips away.
Like Wells, Crichton on one hand thrills readers with action and suspense, while on the other he quietly prompts reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature and technology.
Readers who enjoy H.G. Wells might appreciate Kurt Vonnegut’s ability to merge imaginative storytelling with thoughtful satire. Vonnegut often explored human flaws and societal absurdities through engaging stories that blend humor and sharp commentary.
His novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” is a classic example, combining elements of science fiction with a stark anti-war message. The story follows Billy Pilgrim, an ordinary soldier who unexpectedly becomes unstuck in time.
Billy experiences different moments from his life in no clear order, from his capture by German forces during World War II to his abduction by aliens called Tramalfadorians.
These aliens see time in a unique, all-at-once manner, and Billy adopts their viewpoint as he confronts the chaos of war and fate. The novel asks profound questions about free will, the impact of trauma, and how humans perceive time itself.
For those intrigued by Wells’s speculative fiction and social commentary, Vonnegut offers a fresh yet familiar reading experience.
H. P. Lovecraft is a fascinating author to explore if you enjoy the eerie worlds and speculative fiction of H. G. Wells. In his novella “At the Mountains of Madness,” he narrates the chilling account of an Antarctic expedition that uncovers ancient and mysterious ruins.
The explorers initially hope to achieve scientific fame, but soon they realize they’ve awakened something sinister and ancient beyond human understanding.
Lovecraft masterfully blends scientific curiosity and dread of the unknown, creating an atmosphere of unsettling suspense throughout the story.
His tales often show humanity confronting forces far older and stranger than anything imaginable, themes well-crafted in “At the Mountains of Madness.”
If you appreciate stories that conjure deep unease while exploring fascinating and bizarre worlds, Lovecraft’s work is certainly worth your time.
Neal Stephenson is a science fiction writer known for combining imaginative stories with sharp insights into technology and society. Readers who enjoy H. G. Wells might find a similar appeal in Stephenson’s novel “Snow Crash.”
Set in a believable near-future, this fast-paced adventure centers on Hiro Protagonist, a hacker and skilled swordsman. When a bizarre new drug begins to infect users both online and offline, Hiro investigates its origins.
The story unfolds amid a landscape of corporate-run city-states, virtual reality metaverses, and ancient Sumerian mythology. It examines themes of technology, identity, and language in a vivid backdrop that fans of classic sci-fi literature will appreciate.