Sample
  • Lord of the Dynamos [Classic Tales Edition]

  • By: H. G. Wells
  • Narrated by: B. J. Harrison
  • Length: 25 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Lord of the Dynamos [Classic Tales Edition]  By  cover art

Lord of the Dynamos [Classic Tales Edition]

By: H. G. Wells
Narrated by: B. J. Harrison
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $1.55

Buy for $1.55

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Publisher's summary

Technology worship is brought to a head when Azuma-zi’s head spins at the wonder of a humming, whirling, and buzzing electric dynamo. He prays for the dynamo to deliver him from his troubles, and make his life easier to bear. Apparently the dynamo demands a sacrifice....

Public Domain (P)2018 B.J. Harrison

What listeners say about Lord of the Dynamos [Classic Tales Edition]

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Innovative science fiction, antiquated xenophobia

It was a cool idea, and a good story, but what passed for, from what I know of the time, enlightened views on race and foreign culture is by modern standards cringe-worthy and off-putting. Much of the language used and the "scientific facts" of ethnology (What!? No, really.) espoused regarding the physical and mental differences between the white characters and the "savage" (please forgive me) "nedroid" from the "mysterious east" would have been considered progressive in 1894, a lamentable lack of knowledge of African tribal culture not withstanding. Either way, it's hard to hear now and it monstrously overshadows what is otherwise fantastic allegorical science fiction.

The concept of technology worship with the uncivilized man representing our inner savage is in a way timeless. Rewritten with a few 21st century "PC" edits, I would recommend this as one of the great classics. As written though, it's no wonder it's become so obscure. It's obvious from the text that Wells was not a racist in any hateful sense of the word, but wow. He was definitely a product of the 19th century.

Proceed with caution. "Negroid" is not the worst word or concept you'll encounter, but this work does provide an interesting window into what passed as empirical, progressive thoughts on race in 1894, and if you can get through all that, there's a gem of a sc-ifi thriller mixed in.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!