THE LITERARY H. G. WELLS IN THE NEW AGE BETWEEN 1907 AND 1916: TONO-BUNGAY, ANN VERONICA, THE NEW MACHIAVELLI, AND MR. BRITLING SEES IT THROUGH

Abstract

In 1907 H. G. Wells welcomed the publication of the revitalised The New Age with a congratulatory note. Six months later, he made a further gesture by entrusting the paper with his ‘Personal Statement’, defending himself against charges of sexual immorality. By 1908 the relationship had changed, and Wells found himself the object of The New Age’s provocative arts coverage. This article singles out four social novels published by Wells between 1908 and 1916: Tono-Bungay, Ann Veronica, The New Machiavelli, and Mr. Britling Sees It Through; and examines the New Age’s coverage in detail, taking into account straight reviews, critical essays, pastiches, and satires. Philosophically, the paper and Wells had differences of opinion that widened over the years. While Wells could not depend on The New Age for approbation, he saw himself frequently featured in the pages of a general interest journal that hefted considerable weight, considering its modest appearance and circulation.