After London vs In the days of the comet: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: London, British and irish fiction, Science Fiction, Fiction

After London Richard Jefferies · 1885 ★★★☆☆ 3.1 198 pages · ≈ 3 h 40 m · Challenging

pages ; cm

Apocalyptic Fiction Speculative Fiction England Adventure

In the days of the comet H. G. Wells · 1906 ★★★☆☆ 3.3 240 pages · ≈ 4 h 27 m · Challenging

H. G. Wells, in his 1906 In the Days of the Comet uses the vapors of a comet to trigger a deep and lasting change in humanity's perspective on themselves and the world. In the build-up to a great war, poor student…

Utopias Classic Literature Fantasy fiction

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Side by side

The verdict

Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
In the days of the comet has the widest readership — 1911 ratings behind its score.
After London runs the darker storyline; In the days of the comet stays the lighter read.

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How to choose

In the mood for something dark? After London a darker storyline than In the days of the comet Want something lighter? In the days of the comet an easier tone than After London

Scores by source

	After London	In the days of the comet
Goodreads	3.1 (917)	3.3 (1911)
Hardcover	3.2 (9)	2.5 (1)
Apple Books	—	3.5 (19)
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Reception

	After London	In the days of the comet
Ratings	917	1911
Editions	280	213
Film adaptations	1	1
Want to read	2285	3013
Reading it now	181	175
Written reviews	158	194
Wikipedia attention	628	565
Pages	198	240
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Questions readers ask

Which is rated higher: After London or In the days of the comet?

In the days of the comet has the higher combined reader rating across sources (In the days of the comet 3.3/5, After London 3.1/5).

Which is shorter to read: After London or In the days of the comet?

After London is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: After London (198 pages, ≈ 3 h 40 m); In the days of the comet (240 pages, ≈ 4 h 27 m).

Which is harder to read: After London or In the days of the comet?

Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — After London: Challenging; In the days of the comet: Challenging.