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Most people when they hear the title 'Memoirs of an Invisible Man,' they think of the sci-fi comedy starring Chevy Chase. I know I always did. I learned of the novel's existence quite by accident when someone mentioned it offhand on IMCDb.com's entry for the movie. If you've seen the movie you already know the plot. Securities analyst Nick Halloway is on a business errand to a place called MicroMagnetics where scientists are experimenting with magnetically-induced fission as a means of alternative energy. One lab accident later and the entire building, and Nick, are rendered invisible. A team of government agents led by the no-nonsense David Jenkins seizes the building and Nick barely escapes. But even as he struggles to his new life of being invisible, he finds himself hunted by the agents because Jenkins would like very much for Nick to become the world's first invisible secret agent (excluding the title character in 1942's 'Invisible Agent'). What makes the mysterious H.F. Saint's novel so intriguing and sets it apart from both the film version and most if not all other entries into the invisible man genre, is how it handles invisibility. The typical invisible man story presents it as a blessing and a curse, but only insomuch as the process used to render the main character invisible typically results in their eventually going insane. More practical drawbacks like people unknowingly walking into them, hearing them breathe, their footprints appearing mysteriously, etc., are usually ignored. Even H.G. Wells' seminal novel only gave these a passing mention, in the flashback told by Griffin. Saint however makes the entire book about the drawbacks and the advantages Nick's invisibility brings. First the drawbacks, especially as he struggles to adapt to his newfound life, and later the advantages as he begins using it to make money and become rich. His escape from MicroMagnetics is richly detailed and entirely plausible as well as very suspenseful. In fact, I daresay the best parts of the book concern Nick's adventure inside the invisible building, encountering unseen furniture and objects (in a realistic touch, he takes a bunch of these with him upon leaving). Jenkins' men exploring the building is also quite interesting, although their attempts to capture Nick are a bit clumsier than in the film (in the film they employ thermal imaging goggles to see him, here they mostly just listen and feel around clumsily). And finally there's the issue of whether Nick will ever be restored to normal or even wants to me. In the film, he seeks help from scientist Bernard Wachs only to have Wachs killed by Jenkins' men. Only then does Nick give up hope of returning to visibility. In the novel, although Wachs appears, he is killed in the same lab accident that renders Nick invisible and so Nick has no expert to turn to to discuss the possibility of being returned to normal. He accepts his newfound condition (a little too quickly, arguably) and begins trying to learn to adapt rather than desperately searching for a cure. So, if you want a very original, entertaining and thought-provoking take on the invisible man genre, please do seek out and read H.F. Saint's excellent novel. And even though it isn't as good, it's still worth a look so check out the Chevy Chase movie as well.Read full review
Easily my favorite work of fiction. I read this book for the first time 22 years ago. A well-written and carefully thought out story that you'll enjoy over and over again.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Good book
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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