Re: Tono Bungay

I've recently had a chance to read some Herbert Wells. It's been my opinion before that he was one of the greatest science fiction writers, a great visionary if you like. But it turns out that most of his novels are non-fiction. The ones that I've read are deeply inspirational and more interesting to read since they still have a strong connection to the real life, no matter that a hundred years have passed.

Quote from his Tono Bungay:

Always before these times the bulk of the people did not over-eat themselves, because they couldn't, whether they wanted to do so or not, and all but a very few were kept "fit" by unavoidable exercise and personal danger. Now, if only he pitch his standard low enough and keep free from pride, almost any one can achieve a sort of excess. You can go through contemporary life fudging and evading, indulging and slacking, never really hungry nor frightened nor passionately stirred, your highest moment a mere sentimental orgasm, and your first real contact with primary and elemental necessities, the sweat of your death-bed.

And this, mind you, is written in 1909.