A Modern Utopia. The Shape of Things to Come

Wells’s futurist novels, where he tries to look into the future of mankind. Answers to questions about upcoming conflicts, progress, and the price of universal prosperity.

Herbert Wells (1866–1946) became famous not only for his science-fiction and social novels, but also as one of the first devotees of futurism—a science meant to outline the main directions of humanity’s future. In the novels “Modern Utopia” and “The Shape of Things to Come,” Wells tries to look beyond the first decades of the twentieth century and answer important questions:

What conflicts will peoples of Europe face in the future?
What will scientific and technological progress bring to people?
Where does the line between aesthetic perfection and utilitarianism lie?
What sacrifices will society have to make for universal prosperity?

�Translation by G. Shokin, 2025
�Translation by V. Trushnikov, 2025
�AST Publishing, 2025