When The Sleeper Wakes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

When The Sleeper Wakes

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In a dystopian future, a man awakens from a two-century slumber to find London ruled by a secret oligarchy. As the sole representative of the old world, he must navigate a revolution led by the oppressed masses against a tyrannical master, sparking a struggle for humanity's soul in a darkly imaginative vision of societal collapse and rebirth.

Summary up to 500 words

In H. G. Wells' *The Sleeper Awakes* (originally titled *When The Sleeper Wakes*), a young man named Graham Winton suffers from severe insomnia and exhaustion in late 19th-century England. Desperate for rest, he takes powerful drugs and falls into a deep trance. He awakens two centuries later to find himself in a transformed London, a marvel of advanced technology featuring massive moving ways, aeroplanes, and electric light. However, this futuristic society is governed by a cold, authoritarian oligarchy known as the 'Trustees,' led by the enigmatic and treacherous Ostrog, who has effectively enslaved the population. Initially confused and fearful, Graham realizes he is the sole link to the past. He is expected to lead a revolution against the Trustees. He joins the 'People,' the oppressed masses, in a struggle for freedom. The narrative follows his journey from a bewildered sleeper to a reluctant leader. Graham witnesses the fall of the old Council, the rise of the People's power, and the brutal realities of the new order, including the suffering of the wounded and the destruction of the city's infrastructure. The story culminates in a dramatic aerial battle. Graham, flying a monoplane, attempts to stop Ostrog's forces. During the chaos, he engages in a fierce dogfight, destroying several enemy aircraft. Ultimately, the revolution succeeds, and the old order is destroyed. Graham dies in the ensuing chaos, leaving the future of the world uncertain. The novel explores profound themes of power, revolution, the passage of time, and the high cost of progress, questioning whether humanity has truly advanced or merely changed its masters.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/h-g-wells_when-the-sleeper-wakes.epub

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data/epubs/url-50d6b056f89952f0.epub

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2026-07-01 07:24 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Science Fiction
• Dystopian