The War of the Worlds is a classic I have wanted to read for a long time. I knew the plot fairly well, having consumed multiple adaptations, and of course it is a work which has inspired and influenced so many others since it was published in the late nineteenth century.

Overall I enjoyed my experience. I can't deny that at times it was a bit of a slog, especially in the first half - it is exceedingly slow moving for a book under 200 pages in length. However, I really like Wells's prose, and I already appreciated the plot even before reading it. 

This is not the story of the government or military response to the invasion, it is the very personal story of one civilian. The story is told as if it is a memoir of sorts, talking to people living in the world after the events - I particularly appreciated the moments where the narrator corrects misinformation given in newspapers. Aspects like that felt very modern, choices still likely to be made by writers in the 21st century. 

I will give a warning for racism - it's probably not surprising to you considering the age of the book, but it's worth being aware of going in. 

I'm glad I read it, and at some point I would like to check out some of the other earliest books in the sci-fi genre.