The Food of the Gods, and How It Came to Earth (version 2)
H. G. Wells
Read by Catharine Eastman
Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood have invented a substance that causes living things to grow - and grow - and grow! As their experiments progress, the substance quickly gets out of control and the fun begins as insects and plants receive the benefit of the Food of the Gods. Surely nobody would dream of feeding such a thing to a human child… would they?
In this little-known science fiction satire, Wells takes potshots at every member of society: scientists, ministers, charitable heiresses, revolutionaries, and everyone in between. Yet in the end, Wells shows his faith both in humanity and its never-ceasing progress. - Summary by Catharine Eastman (8 hr 25 min)
Chapters
| Book 1, Chapter 1 | 21:33 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 2, Sections 1-3 | 30:47 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 2, Sections 4-8 | 35:36 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 3, Sections 1-3 | 27:26 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 3, Sections 4-5 | 21:47 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 3, Sections 6-8 | 21:32 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 4, Sections 1-3 | 30:01 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 4, Sections 4-6 | 29:33 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 1, Chapter 5 | 23:50 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 1-3 | 16:37 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 4-7 | 24:27 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 2, Chapter 2 | 34:29 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 1, Sections 1-2 | 24:16 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 1, Sections 3-5 | 25:46 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 2, Sections 1-2 | 17:48 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 2, Sections 3-5 | 19:02 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 3 | 27:42 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 4, Sections 1-3 | 24:45 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 4, Section 4 | 15:33 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
| Book 3, Chapter 5 | 32:49 | Read by Catharine Eastman |
Reviews
Is that you Wells?
H.G. WELLS FAN
I have been a fan of H.G. Wells since grade school. Had never come across this work. I thought the INVISIBLE KING was a bit of a dry read. This book is by far the true king; it takes the crown of being Well's WORST display of caricature. Elementary at best. Made it about halfway through the book in hopes of it getting better, but to no avail. Couldn't torture myself to finish.
I'm not sure what you others are thinking
A LibriVox Listener
i don't know why others are complaining so much. This is very typical Victorian science fiction. no it might not be quite his usual style but it is more traditional. in style. A fun book with sharp insight and political commentary
Science Run Amuck
picfixer
Wells' sci fi black comedy and biting satire of just about everything and everybody in Edwardian Britain. The reader skillfully enters into the spirit of this unusual novel with telling effect. Recommended for those with a taste for the fantastic and an appreciation for wry humor. This book has been the victim of several unfortunate screen adaptations as B horror films. The most notorious was "The Food of the Gods" (1976) which received a Golden Turkey Award for Worst Rodent Movie of All Time.
The Food of the 'gods'
eli g
Excellent, excellent reader. She deserves 5 stars. Not so, in my opinion, H. G. Wells' premises. So, please consider that Catherine Eastman has received her well deserved 5 stars, but the book itself receives only 1 star from this reader. So, averaging 5 plus 1 by 2, I give 3 altogether. Bad Math? Maybe. But, thank you Ms Eastman, and thank you, Librivox. Oh, I also altered the title a little, didn't want to use the capital for the purpose.
Great Victorian satire
sherbk
Very good reader. There were a few problems with volume on a couple of chapters. Why the criticism of this book? They couldn't possibly be listening or know the era of invention. Wells did a great job of mocking the useless scientific inventions and justification of the those inventions and society's dealing with it. Well worth listening. Hmm .. sounds like some so-called science absurdities occasionally being pushed on us today.
Size doesn't matter
John Perreur-Lloyd
A fine tale based on homosapiens natural behaviours, as selectivly observed by Wells to give the tale some plausibility. It's less sci-fi, more Socio-fi and very well read. Ending a bit lame and the opportunity for a sequel missed, but they are much a mark of 21st fiction.
An AMAZING reading of a wonderful story
CH
This is a great, unique story! Catharine Eastmine is the best reader I've ever heard. Great voices, and inflections! I I'm not sure what else she's read for LibriVox, but I'm about to listen to one of them!
The Food of the Gods, and How it Came to Earth (version 2)
David R. Smith
Well read, fun listen - thanks!