It took David Lodge a hundred or so pages to convince me that a novelistic approach to this biography was worthwhile. But he clearly had enough good source material (including very personal letters - some of them illustrated with 'sad panthers' and the like) to fuel what turns out to be a very lively and entertaining - but also authentic feeling - read.

Wells is an engrossing character (and a cheeky sod), embroiled with a host of interesting women, and friend and/or rival of many famous figures of the early 20th century. Lodge animates them all convincingly, particularly Wells, who he clearly likes greatly, but not without an eye for his faults.