Years ago I saw the movie that is based on this book and loved it. Recently, I obtained a VHS copy at our library's sale. At 10 cents it was a steal. Then, at the same sale, I found a copy of the book. Lucky me! Or maybe not.
The movie was delightful, it was the book that had problems. SEX plays a major role in this mystery novel. It was not enough that Jack the Ripper used brutal murder and mutilation to fulfill his sexual fantasies, but having H.G. Wells undergo a sexual experience just by being in a speeding taxi was pushing things a bit. The author used sex a lot in describing the experiences of the leading characters for the first half of the book, then mercifully toned it down for the remainder.
I did enjoy the book, especially H.G.'s 'intellectual encounters' with 1979 people, their culture, plastic tables, Big Macs, and more. But once read, it went on my Bookshelf here, where it was quickly scooped up. No regrets. I still have the movie.
The movie was delightful, it was the book that had problems. SEX plays a major role in this mystery novel. It was not enough that Jack the Ripper used brutal murder and mutilation to fulfill his sexual fantasies, but having H.G. Wells undergo a sexual experience just by being in a speeding taxi was pushing things a bit. The author used sex a lot in describing the experiences of the leading characters for the first half of the book, then mercifully toned it down for the remainder.
I did enjoy the book, especially H.G.'s 'intellectual encounters' with 1979 people, their culture, plastic tables, Big Macs, and more. But once read, it went on my Bookshelf here, where it was quickly scooped up. No regrets. I still have the movie.
