Unfortunately, I just could not force myself to finish this book . The fact that this read more like an essay than a work of fiction did not help any. I ended up reading other peoples reviews and opinion for the past 30 minutes. I've come to the conclusion this book just isn't for me.

“You think this is real because you can't wake out of it,” I say. “It's all a dream, and there are people—I'm just one of the first of a multitude—between sleeping and waking—who will presently be rubbing it out of their eyes.”

Excerpt From: H. G. Wells. “A Modern Utopia.” iBooks.
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I really, really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did.

I've picked up a handful of Wells in my life, each time with the highest of hopes. Unfortunately, once again, I was left feeling like something was wrong with me.

Why don't I love this?

Written in 1905, H.G. Wells' unusual fiction/non-fiction hybrid describes his ideal world state.

"Our business here is to be Utopian, to make vivid and credible, if we can, first this facet and then that, of an imaginary whole and happy world...It is no doubt an optimistic enterprise."

A Modern Utopia, has elements of a classic utopia (a stranger visits an ideally structured, considered society, explores, and returns home), but Wells undertakes his visit to Utopia with unapologetic, intentional philosophical discourse.

"It will be evident to the experienced reader that by omitting certain speculative and metaphysical elements and by elaborating incident, this book might have been reduced to a straightforward story. But I did not want to omit as much on this occasion. I do not see why I should always pander to the vulgar appetite for stark stories," said Wells in his introduction to the book.

Wells' Utopia is also not the classic small, isolated enclave, but rather an entire world set in alternate "space." In A Modern Utopia, the Utopia is the reality and the world we live in is the dream; the nightmare we remain in by inaction and feeble will (imagine that after Neo took the pill in The Matrix he awakened into a cleaner, smarter, more humanely ordered society instead of one at war with machines).

"Utopia, where men and women are happy and laws are wise, and where all that is tangled and confused in human affairs has been unraveled and made right."

What makes a society Utopian, in Wells' view, is similar to many other utopian authors: equality, vegetarianism, liberalism, and a more collaborative and less ego-driven society. Attaining Utopia is a collective act of will that requires individuals to care about humanity, work to structure society and see beyond their own ego-driven interests. (Pairs well with: Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, 2010, in which religious scholar Karen Armstrong makes a similar argument.)

"If we are to have any Utopia at all, we must have a clear common purpose, and a great and steadfast movement of will to override all these incurably egotistical dissidents."

Since Wells' wrote A Modern Utopia society seems to have made strides towards his vision including: longer life spans, reduced inequality by race and sex, a healthier, fairer system of employment, and a more connected global society.

Unique ideas in Wells' Utopia include: a class structure topped by a "samurai" level of enlightened ascetics; the allowance for group marriages of three or more persons; regular pilgrimages made by individuals into the wilderness alone to recharge and reflect; and the absence of pets (they are deemed unsanitary).

Wells uses the foil of a botanist skeptic (see the aforementioned "incurably egotistical dissidents") who follows his protagonist around Utopia and is generally dismissive. The botanist is an ego-driven character interested only in himself and his own passions.

Quotes:

"I do not like your Utopia, if there are to be no dogs," the botanist.

"They have extended the level of years far into the seventies, and age, when it some, comes swiftly and easily. The feverish hurry of our earth, the decay that begins before growth has ceased, is replaced by a ripe prolonged maturity."

"Were the will of the mass of men lit and conscious, I am firmly convinced it would now burn steadily for synthesis and peace."

"I am amazed, I have been amazed as long as I can remember, and I shall die, most certainly in a state of incredulous amazement, at this remarkable world." — a Utopian

"In all the round world of Utopia there is no meat. There used to be. But now we cannot stand the thought of slaughter-houses." — a Utopian

Originally published (as so many novels of the time were) in serialised form from October 1904 to April 1905, A Modern Utopia came to be a book later in 1905. I use the term book deliberately. This is no novel. I read a free Gutenberg edition published of the first edition.

Read the full review...https://theforgottengeek.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/the-history-of-science-fiction-literature-a-modern-utopia-by-hg-wells-1905/

Part fever dream, part intellectual proposal, part inter-dimensional adventure, H.G. Well's Utopia is described by an eloquent narrator arguing with his 'naysayer' botanist colleague.

Strangely unlike most such explorations, Wells does not rely overly heavily on technology, (hence the 'modern' Utopia I guess) instead he discusses the culture, politics and legal systems of his ideal world.

To be frank the first few chapters are straight boring aside from a few tidbits. The real meat of the discussion is how Utopia deals with failure. Wells proposes an almost compassionate eugenics program to best service society, although before anyone gets offended I recommend reading all the way through to the 'Samurai' or ruling class of Utopia, and his final chapter on Utopian races.

Despite some rough language, Wells does propose a humane and forward thinking society. I have no idea whether such a system would actually work or be accepted by the masses, but the book stands out to me as a thoughtful and a work before its time.

In concluding I must point out that there really is no enjoyable tale to accompany this discussion. Really we are reading Well's proposed Utopia interspersed with a few intriguing happenings for his narrator and botanist friend. If you're looking for an exiting 1984, of Brave New World tale this isn't it.

Too much like Plato's Republic without fixing any flaws and with a weird narrative style that is vague to avoid the "serious readers" but then tries to discuss topics quite literally and specifically.