Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump Part 1

The novel opens with the fictional character George Boon and a blend of satire, metafiction, and commentary on literary culture. Anchored around the imaginary epic “The Mind of the Race,” Wells critiques the decline and revival of intellect, the failings of modern literature, and the vanity of intellectual elites. Through biting parody—especially targeting figures like Henry James—he explores the paradoxes of art and audience. The convening of the “World Conference on the Mind of the Race” humorously stages tensions between popular appeal and elite literary circles. This part forms a sharp yet playful reflection on literature as both a cultural institution and personal endeavor.