A Slip Under the Microscope

Book excerpt: Should he confess all and face the consequences or should he keep his secret forever? 'A Slip Under the Microscope' is one of H.G. Wells' best-loved short stories, detailing the dilemma faced by the central character, Hill. During a botany exam, Hill inadvertently ‘cheats’ when he moves a microscope slide and is forced to choose between coming clean or staying quiet. This tale is a fascinating dissection of the themes of honesty and ethical behaviour. With certain autobiographical elements to the story, ‘A Slip Under the Microscope’ gives us a brief insight into the mind of one of the greatest authors of all time. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’