You might have heard me talk about the Golden Age of science fiction, a period lasting from 1934 to as late as the 1960s. However, an age came before that: the Radium Age, which lasted until 1933. At least, that’s what some call it, though the name is a bit disputed. This age began at the tail end of the Scientific Romantic era (1864-1903). By this time, authors like Jules Verne and H. G. Wells had already created well-known early sci-fi books. This era promised a new type of science fiction, one with new tropes and new ways to discuss issues still relevant today. Let’s examine five of the early ones.
The Master of the World (Jules Verne – 1904)
Starting off with one of the more well-known authors whom I mentioned earlier, Jules Verne wrote The Master of the World in 1904. This book comes at the beginning of the Age but the end of Verne’s career and life. While not Verne’s most known work, it still demonstrates the beginnings of the Radium Age through the proto-science it includes.
The story (actually a sequel) revolves around Chief Inspector Strock, who arrives in the States to investigate a volcanic eruption. However, he comes across the inventor Robur (another character already featured in Verne’s work). Robor invents a vehicle that’s part submarine, part car, which he uses to travel through the eye of a Caribbean storm.
Find Verne’s book on Goodreads through this link.
The Food of the Gods (H. G. Wells – 1904)
Next, another recognizable author. H. G. Wells also published this book in 1904. Additionally, his earlier works, such as The Time Machine and War of the Worlds, might be what you think of when you think of this author. However, this book provides a major contribution to the beginnings of the Radium Age.
This book follows the discovery of a chemical that initially allows animals to grow to massive sizes. However, over time, this chemical helps create a race of giants, who must try to live with the normal-sized humans reeling from the chemical’s impact.
Find the book on Goodreads here.
Sultana’s Dream (Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain – 1905)
This book (technically a short story) is distinct in that it’s written by a Muslim woman in British India. It’s also considered one of the earliest feminist science fiction books. This book includes advanced technology, everything from flying cars to machines that control the weather. In the story, women control this society in a Bengali-based purdah system, while the men are kept hidden away.
Find more information about the story here.
Red Star (Alexander Bogdanov – 1908)
An early piece of Soviet science fiction, Red Star includes a little bit of everything that would become synonymous with science fiction. It includes mentions of atomic and nuclear energy, computers, rocket ships, and more. The story itself follows Leonid, a scientist who is visited by a Martian. The Martian takes him to Mars, where Leonid discovers a communist-type society, as well as the aforementioned technology. It turns out that, while Earth (or at least the Soviet Union) goes through a revolution, Mars already experienced one.
Leonid also discovers a plan to colonize Earth since Mars ran out of resources. Leonid tries to see what he can do about the revolution going on at home.
Find the book on Goodreads here.
The Machine Stops (E. M. Forster – 1909)
Lastly, you might also recognize this author. Published between Forster’s best-known works, A Room with a View and Howards End, this story takes place in a world where no one enters the outside world. Instead, everyone lives in their designated apartments, having every need catered to by the Machine. Consider the Machine an early version of the Internet. One man decides to venture out into the world, and later, the Machine begins to break down.
You can find the entire story as a pdf through this link.
Thanks for reading! I plan to do more of these lists and write more about these kinds of books. See you all next week for another book review!
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