The Invisible Man
by H.G. Wells
English • 1897 • Public Domain • Free to stream
The Invisible Man, published in 1897, follows Griffin, a scientist who discovers how to make himself invisible — and cannot undo it. Stranded in a small English village, wrapped in bandages to remain visible, increasingly cold and desperate, Griffin becomes a fugitive and then a murderer. Wells uses the premise to explore what happens when power is stripped of all accountability: invisibility doesn't free Griffin, it destroys him.
Shorter and sharper than The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man reads like a thriller with a philosophical core. The question it asks — what would you do if no one could see you? — is as relevant today as it was in 1897. The book is in the public domain and streams free here — no signup, no subscription, no ads.
About the book: The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man is an 1897 science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. The author wrote the original version of the tale between March and June 1896 as a short story with which he was dissatisfied, so he extended it. Originally serialised in Pearson's Weekly in 1897, it was published as a novel the same year.
The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, an optical scientist who invents a way to change a body's refractive index to that of air so that it neither absorbs nor reflects light. He carries out this procedure on himself and renders himself invisible, but fails in his attempt to reverse it. A practitioner of random and irresponsible violence, Griffin has become an iconic character in horror fiction. The novel is considered influential, and helped establish Wells as the father of science fiction.
While its predecessors, The Time Machine and The Island of Doctor Moreau, were written using first-person narrators, Wells adopts a third-person objective point of view in The Invisible Man.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Invisible Man free to listen to?
Yes, The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells is completely free to stream. No account or subscription required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote The Invisible Man?
The Invisible Man was written by Herbert George Wells, published in 1897.
Is The Invisible Man in the public domain?
Yes, The Invisible Man is in the public domain worldwide and free to read, share, and listen to.
How long is The Invisible Man to listen to?
The Invisible Man takes approximately 8 hours to listen to in full.
When was The Invisible Man written?
The Invisible Man was first published in 1897. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates The Invisible Man?
The Invisible Man uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
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What genre is The Invisible Man?
The Invisible Man is Science Fiction. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.