Wells's first published work of fiction (it was published one day before The War of the Worlds) is a series of conversations between the author and a fictional uncle. Wells uses this uncle to criticize modern English society. Each sketch was published to public acclaim in The Pall Mall Gazette between 1893-94.

Contents:

• Of Conversations and the Anatomy of Fashion
• The Theory of the Perpetual Discomfort of Humanity
• The Use of Ideals
• The Art of Being Photographed
• Bagshot's Mural Decorations
• On Social Music
• The Joys of Being Engaged
• La Belle Dame Sans Merci
• On a Tricycle
• An Unsuspected Masterpiece
• The Great Change
• The Pains of Marriage
• A Misunderstood Artist
• The Man with a Nose