The War of the Wenuses

"The War of the Wenuses" by Charles L. (Charles Larcom) Graves is a humorous science fiction story set in the early 20th century, where Earth faces an unexpected invasion from Venus. These invaders, known as Wenuses, are beautiful but dangerous women who plan to take over the planet because their own world is changing and they are not happy with the invisible men on Venus. Through the eyes of the narrator, Pozzuoli, we witness the pandemonium that breaks out as men become obsessed with the Wenuses' charm and quickly fall victim to their mesmerizing powers. The story makes fun of how men and women act, showing how women organize to defend themselves against the Wenuses while the men are just helpless. The Wenuses want to change society to fit their desires, leading to a battle for control. In the end, the Wenuses win, returning to their home planet and leaving London in a state of cheerful disarray.