I think Jeff Wayne’s musical version of the story was my first exposure to the story. A recording that has stood the test of time very well BTW and still worth checking out. I remember dad had the double LP with the wonderful artwork.
After the musical version I remember seeing the 1953 film. This was a great classic science fiction film and followed the general plot of the book. While there were no tripods, there was the terrific Manta Ray shaped Martian war machines.
Eventually I read the book. A lot of it is set around HG Well’s home in Woking and it presents a factual, linear telling of the invasion and aftermath from the point of view of the unnamed narrator. The aliens landed on Horsal Common and fought their way towards London 30 miles away. It’s a very interesting and influential book and Woking celebrates this legacy with a three-legged Martian tripod in the middle of the town center.
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One of the few interesting things about Midhurst is that HG Wells used to live above what was the sweet shop-newsagent’s when I was there (no idea what it was in his time) and work in one of the chemist’s.
The other interesting things were that John Wyndham based Midwich (of Midwich Cuckoos fame) on Midhurst and that every so often the town would come alive with polo players and their groupies.
War of the Worlds is a great story, and I loved the film!
PS – There’s a Chinese fast-food place here which I think is meant to be called Wok King, but what it actually says above the restaurant is Woking, which always makes me smile when I pass it…
I could not refrain from adding my peace. It’s a wonderful book that made a big impression on me and I knew it was written around London, but not that the places were so accurately portrayed. Perfectly written!