by Mark Askeda

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: June 08, 2009

Jules Verne (1828-1904) and H. G. Wells (1866-1946) are prolific writers and both are commonly called the Father of Science Fiction. Verne was 38 years older than Wells and it is likely that Wells read much of Verne's works as a child. Both are still widely read today and many of their stories have been adapted to cinema. Verne's most popular works include:

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mysterious Island, Around the World in 80 Days, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Wells' most popular works include: War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, First Men in the Moon, Island of Dr. Moreau, and The Invisible Man. What all these works have in common is that they are still enjoyed today, both in book form and on the screen.

Both men were early writers of science fiction and both devoted at least one story to space travel (Verne: From the Earth to the Moon, Wells: The First Men in the Moon), although both men grossly underestimated the challenges and difficulty of space travel. They both wrote about heavier-than-air flying machines long before flight was possible. While these authors have much in common, there are significant differences in the works of the two men.

Stylistically, Wells preferred to tell a story in the person of an unnamed narrator. He used this method in his two finest works, The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. Verne told his stories in the form of a third party observer. Wells makes us feel as if the narrator is speaking directly to us, while Verne makes us an observer of the unfolding events.

Most of Well's stories take place in his home country of England (or have their voyages originate from there). Verne, a Frenchman, does not generally write about France. Many of his stories take place in America or some exotic place such as Iceland, Africa or Antarctica. Also, many of Verne's works depict a journey to some unknown land or place, while Wells tends to limit his locations to England.

Verne and Wells have significant differences in their views of science and technology. Verne portrayed technology much more favorably than Wells. In Verne's Mysterious Island, the castaways use the technology at their disposal to improve their situation. In Journey to the Center of the Earth and From the Earth to the Moon, the scientists and explorers are treated rather favorably and are the protagonists. Even in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the mysterious Captain Nemo is attempting to use the technology at his disposal to put an end to

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