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H G Wells

The Time Machine

'The Time machine' is Wells' first published science fiction story. It's a short book - Well's commented 36 years later that this was due to the hurry to get it published and he would like to have written a longer work. However I prefer to read somewhat 'naive' early works of sci-fi writers before they have learnt to write 'proper' literature.

Reading this book gives and insight into what Well's wanted to write - we see that from the beginning he was more interested in possible futures for society than high tech gizmos. It's also worth reading if you've only seen the film version and want to know more about Wells' work.

Of course this book isn't really a story about time travel, which would involve visiting the past and either creating a paradox or making sure things happen the way they should. No, the Eloi and the Morlocks could just as well be living on a different planet. For instance [SPOILER - but you all know the story anyway] at one point in the story Weena disappears and is presumed either burned to death or eaten. Or did the time-traveller return in his time machine to a point just after she disappeared and save her from her fate? No, he didn't seem to think of that. Also the story has a bleak future for humanity, but if it's so far in the future that we seemingly can do nothing to prevent it then so what? If on the other hand knowledge of the future meant something could be done to prevent it, well the time-traveller didn't seem to think of that either.

Amazon.com info

Mass Market Paperback 144 pages
ISBN: 0812505042
Salesrank: 365212
Weight:0.18 lbs

Published: 1992 Tor (Tom Doherty)

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Paperback 128 pages
ISBN: 0141439971
Salesrank: 2335
Weight:0.18 lbs

Published: 2005 Penguin Classics

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Amazon.ca info

Mass Market Paperback 144 pages
ISBN: 0812505042
Salesrank: 8630
Weight:0.18 lbs

Published: 1992 Tor Books

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Product Description
Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title—offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords. This edition of The Time Machine includes an Introduction, Biographical Note, and Afterword by James Gunn. The time? 802,701 A.D. The place? An Earth stranger than you can imagine. The people? A pretty, childlike race, the Eloi-and their distant cousins, the Morlocks: disgusting, hairy creatures who live in caves and feed on the flesh of-what? Enter the Time Traveller, who has hurtled almost a million years into the future. After the Morlocks steal his machine he may be trapped there...and at their mercy.

Product Description

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title—offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.

This edition of The Time Machine includes an Introduction, Biographical Note, and Afterword by James Gunn.

The time? 802,701 A.D.

The place? An Earth stranger than you can imagine.

The people? A pretty, childlike race, the Eloi-and their distant cousins, the Morlocks: disgusting, hairy creatures who live in caves and feed on the flesh of-what?

Enter the Time Traveller, who has hurtled almost a million years into the future. After the Morlocks steal his machine he may be trapped there...and at their mercy.

Excellent!! ****
As I stated in my other reviews, I normally don't enjoy science fiction novels; this book I had to read for school. As I read what I expected to be a boring and unentertaining novel, my opinion changed, and I became more open to enjoying the story. I found that it was an enchanting novel that no one should pass up. H. G. Wells made the story come alive and he made the setting, set in the future, somewhere you feel could possibly exist as his descriptions are so vivid and his wording fanominal. Read this story and your beliefs on time travel and the way earth will turn out in the future will change. H.G. Wells gives you somthing to ponder while you enjoy the sentences that flow together like the river he describes. H.G. Wells makes an unknown world seem familiar and is an expert in his proffesion. I guaranty this book will send powerful astonishment and awe up and through your mind.

Excellent!! ****

As I stated in my other reviews, I normally don't enjoy science fiction novels; this book I had to read for school. As I read what I expected to be a boring and unentertaining novel, my opinion changed, and I became more open to enjoying the story. I found that it was an enchanting novel that no one should pass up. H. G. Wells made the story come alive and he made the setting, set in the future, somewhere you feel could possibly exist as his descriptions are so vivid and his wording fanominal. Read this story and your beliefs on time travel and the way earth will turn out in the future will change. H.G. Wells gives you somthing to ponder while you enjoy the sentences that flow together like the river he describes. H.G. Wells makes an unknown world seem familiar and is an expert in his proffesion. I guaranty this book will send powerful astonishment and awe up and through your mind.

Wells blends Genre's with ease *****
I am sure that you have seen the movies that have been made from this book, there are quite a few and most of them are very entertaining. Unfortunately none of the movies that I have seen have captured the social meaning behind this book. Certainly they have the adventure part down pat, but the rest of it is changed, for the times I'm sure. I would advise those of you who love Sci-fi to read this book, and to those of you, like myself who have a hard time getting into that genera, look at this as a classic and read it anyway. The unnamed inventor of a time machine, known only as the traveler, leaves his home to travel forward through time. Seeing drastic changes in the world he finally settles on a distant future to get out and explore. He quickly meets tiny humans which he refers to as the Eloi. They are fair to look at, complete ADD cases with little to no true knowledge or skills. The Traveler attempts to communicate with them and has some difficulty. He spends a great deal of time in this futuristic world and discovers that the Eloi are not alone in this new world, and that their counterparts are far more sinister. One of the biggest changes made in the movies is the cause of the split between the Eloi and the Morlocks. It is very interesting to read Well's actual reasoning, which is the separation and elitism between the social classes. This becomes more defined and is the actual basis of the entire novel. Rather than being a true Sci-Fi book, this really is about Victorian Society and what it would look like if left unchanged for 800,000 years. Because this book only vaguely touches on the science involved, it is likely to never be outdated. Though this is not a fast read by any means, it is a fun and meaningful one. I don't know that I would hand it to a 10 year old because odds are they would be bored before he even leaves for the trip. However if you can take a deep breath and leave our societies mindset behind (the theory that everything needs to be exploding and that we all need instantaneous gratification at all times) this is a brilliant piece of fiction that spans several genres and is in fact as timeless as the Traveler.

Wells blends Genre's with ease *****

I am sure that you have seen the movies that have been made from this book, there are quite a few and most of them are very entertaining. Unfortunately none of the movies that I have seen have captured the social meaning behind this book. Certainly they have the adventure part down pat, but the rest of it is changed, for the times I'm sure. I would advise those of you who love Sci-fi to read this book, and to those of you, like myself who have a hard time getting into that genera, look at this as a classic and read it anyway.

The unnamed inventor of a time machine, known only as the traveler, leaves his home to travel forward through time. Seeing drastic changes in the world he finally settles on a distant future to get out and explore. He quickly meets tiny humans which he refers to as the Eloi. They are fair to look at, complete ADD cases with little to no true knowledge or skills. The Traveler attempts to communicate with them and has some difficulty. He spends a great deal of time in this futuristic world and discovers that the Eloi are not alone in this new world, and that their counterparts are far more sinister.

One of the biggest changes made in the movies is the cause of the split between the Eloi and the Morlocks. It is very interesting to read Well's actual reasoning, which is the separation and elitism between the social classes. This becomes more defined and is the actual basis of the entire novel. Rather than being a true Sci-Fi book, this really is about Victorian Society and what it would look like if left unchanged for 800,000 years. Because this book only vaguely touches on the science involved, it is likely to never be outdated. Though this is not a fast read by any means, it is a fun and meaningful one. I don't know that I would hand it to a 10 year old because odds are they would be bored before he even leaves for the trip. However if you can take a deep breath and leave our societies mindset behind (the theory that everything needs to be exploding and that we all need instantaneous gratification at all times) this is a brilliant piece of fiction that spans several genres and is in fact as timeless as the Traveler.

Early Sci-Fi Masterpiece *****
Wells' tale of the future of mankind is both highly entertaining, and a valid critique of the rigid social class system associated with capitalism. Wells was so far ahead of his time, that this tale is actually not the least bit dated. Despite being written over a century ago, Wells' scientific theories are still as believable and sound as they were in 1895. If you have even the slightest interest in Science Fiction pick this one up, its a concise, highly captivating read

Early Sci-Fi Masterpiece *****

Wells' tale of the future of mankind is both highly entertaining, and a valid critique of the rigid social class system associated with capitalism. Wells was so far ahead of his time, that this tale is actually not the least bit dated. Despite being written over a century ago, Wells' scientific theories are still as believable and sound as they were in 1895. If you have even the slightest interest in Science Fiction pick this one up, its a concise, highly captivating read

The epic tale of all time *****
H G Wells has awakened the world with his art of tale through the travel of time. He is the inspiration of every time travel writer in existence today, with no exception, myself included. Along with great classics like Twenty-thousand Leagues Under the Sea, I remember the first time reading these classics. I was in awe. Though time travel, a genre given life by H G Wells is the ultimate epic sci-fi adventure. The very idea of time travel has opened the eyes of every imagination in my soul. The ramifications are endless. H G Well's Time Machine is my favorite, all time story. Even when you think of how the future looked as grim as it did thousands of years from the story line's origination, one only needs to remember that this tale is merely one possiblity of billions that could be changed with a simple act of maybe a push of a button or even less. I believe THAT was the message Wells was revealing to us all. This is a very well written story that I highly recommend to anyone of any age or time. This very book was my biggest inspiration since I was first able to read.

The epic tale of all time *****

H G Wells has awakened the world with his art of tale through the travel of time. He is the inspiration of every time travel writer in existence today, with no exception, myself included. Along with great classics like Twenty-thousand Leagues Under the Sea, I remember the first time reading these classics. I was in awe. Though time travel, a genre given life by H G Wells is the ultimate epic sci-fi adventure. The very idea of time travel has opened the eyes of every imagination in my soul. The ramifications are endless. H G Well's Time Machine is my favorite, all time story. Even when you think of how the future looked as grim as it did thousands of years from the story line's origination, one only needs to remember that this tale is merely one possiblity of billions that could be changed with a simple act of maybe a push of a button or even less. I believe THAT was the message Wells was revealing to us all. This is a very well written story that I highly recommend to anyone of any age or time. This very book was my biggest inspiration since I was first able to read.

The Time Machine By H.G. Wells ****
I enjoyed this book. It's about a man that we only know as the "Time Traveler" who obviously invents a time machine and he goes into the future and ends up meeting up with the friendly Eloi, and befriends Weena, an Eloi. While he is with the Eloi his time machine goes missing. He finds the Morlocks, which Wells describes as ghostly apes. They are the reason that everything works so well for the Eloi, but they only prove as food for the Eloi. In the end he gets his time machine back and hurries back to his own time to tell all of the other scientists about his journey. This is how this book is written, in first person, the point of view of the time traveler. If you liked War of the Worlds than this is a must read. Wells, H.G. Time Machine, The December 1992, Tom Doherty Associates,LLC.

The Time Machine By H.G. Wells ****

I enjoyed this book. It's about a man that we only know as the "Time Traveler" who obviously invents a time machine and he goes into the future and ends up meeting up with the friendly Eloi, and befriends Weena, an Eloi. While he is with the Eloi his time machine goes missing. He finds the Morlocks, which Wells describes as ghostly apes. They are the reason that everything works so well for the Eloi, but they only prove as food for the Eloi.

In the end he gets his time machine back and hurries back to his own time to tell all of the other scientists about his journey. This is how this book is written, in first person, the point of view of the time traveler.

If you liked War of the Worlds than this is a must read.

Wells, H.G. Time Machine, The
December 1992, Tom Doherty Associates,LLC.

Wells explores where our tendencies will take us ****
Gulliver travels to different worlds through which Swift shows various possibilities, draws out certain tendencies, or caricatures certain characteristics of humanity. Wells' Time Traveller only travels to one 'world' - the year 802,701 AD (he does also, briefly, travel to other times, but these are like a minor addendum to the main story) - but the Traveller's restless mind constantly strives to make sense of what he sees and encounters. Each of his theories, eroded and invalidated as the story progresses, shares with Gullver's different worlds the Swiftian purpose of explaining certain possibilities, tendencies and characteristics of humanity, this time enhanced with a new Darwinian (The Time Machine was published in 1895) scientific bent. Wells continuously impreses me. This enourmously influential novella can be read in a single day. Part allegory, part dystopean treatsy, part adventure story, it is utterly compulsive.

Wells explores where our tendencies will take us ****

Gulliver travels to different worlds through which Swift shows various possibilities, draws out certain tendencies, or caricatures certain characteristics of humanity.

Wells' Time Traveller only travels to one 'world' - the year 802,701 AD (he does also, briefly, travel to other times, but these are like a minor addendum to the main story) - but the Traveller's restless mind constantly strives to make sense of what he sees and encounters. Each of his theories, eroded and invalidated as the story progresses, shares with Gullver's different worlds the Swiftian purpose of explaining certain possibilities, tendencies and characteristics of humanity, this time enhanced with a new Darwinian (The Time Machine was published in 1895) scientific bent.

Wells continuously impreses me. This enourmously influential novella can be read in a single day. Part allegory, part dystopean treatsy, part adventure story, it is utterly compulsive.

Fantastic *****
What an exquisite short story. The novel is fast moving and dark: at times short sentences drive the story forward, add pace and fuel the unease, fear and terror that the Morlocks bring. There are many influences here, Wells was clearly influenced by the theories of Darwin; the development of species, and natural selection leading to the evolution of the Morlocks and the Eloi as separate races. Wells looks forward to man controlling the natural environment, with biological and pest control and perhaps genetic engineering and cloning; all members of the Eloi race being identical. There are strong linkages here with Brave New World, with one class or race, providing for another. There are links also to War of the Worlds; the Artilleryman's wish to live underground to escape the Martians; perhaps Well's developed one from another, the link does seem inescapable. The Morlock - Eloi symbiotic relationship drives the novel, when this ends chapter 11 feels out of place and does not perhaps add anything to the story; I finished this chapter thinking was this required? That apart, The Time Machine is a wonderful short novel

Fantastic *****

What an exquisite short story.

The novel is fast moving and dark: at times short sentences drive the story forward, add pace and fuel the unease, fear and terror that the Morlocks bring.

There are many influences here, Wells was clearly influenced by the theories of Darwin; the development of species, and natural selection leading to the evolution of the Morlocks and the Eloi as separate races. Wells looks forward to man controlling the natural environment, with biological and pest control and perhaps genetic engineering and cloning; all members of the Eloi race being identical.

There are strong linkages here with Brave New World, with one class or race, providing for another. There are links also to War of the Worlds; the Artilleryman's wish to live underground to escape the Martians; perhaps Well's developed one from another, the link does seem inescapable.

The Morlock - Eloi symbiotic relationship drives the novel, when this ends chapter 11 feels out of place and does not perhaps add anything to the story; I finished this chapter thinking was this required? That apart, The Time Machine is a wonderful short novel

Short and sweet *****
The Time Machine is a deceptively small book; although only 90 pages long, it contains material for discussion that could help fill volumes. The further evolutionary development of our species, the ultimate fate of present attempts at social development, the possibility of breaching the space-time continuum, the appearance of the surface of the earth in countless millennia from now - these are all subjects explicitly tackled in the short space of this book. One of the qualities I most like about Wells is his educated pessimism about the future. Whereas many authors think of the present as the necessary precondition for building a better future - and so unquestioningly accept the way things are now as a priori the way they need to be for a later better society - Wells criticises the established and the traditional, and sees in them the seeds of potential calamity. This is amply and unambiguously demonstrated in the degenerate races of The Time Machine: the Eloi and Morlocks function as logical evolutionary descendants of the upper- and working classes of Wells's time. Somewhat paradoxically therefore, the book also has the effect of investing human beings as we now are with great value: compared with the practically useless Eloi and the morally and culturally bankrupt Morlocks, we fare quite well. Wells also has a tendency to go against plausible common-sense notions, and does it in such a way that he makes his alternatives equally plausible. It seems obvious that if we are more progressed now (at least technologically) than we were in the past, that we will be even more so in the distant future; but the Time Traveller has nothing to learn from the future - humans are far less intelligent than they were and their society is on the brink of total collapse. Wells's take on things is refreshing and cautionary. My only beef with the book is that it ends a little abruptly and the later sections seems rushed. Other than that, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read that provides an unusual but respectable perspective on some 'big' issues.

Short and sweet *****

The Time Machine is a deceptively small book; although only 90 pages long, it contains material for discussion that could help fill volumes. The further evolutionary development of our species, the ultimate fate of present attempts at social development, the possibility of breaching the space-time continuum, the appearance of the surface of the earth in countless millennia from now - these are all subjects explicitly tackled in the short space of this book.

One of the qualities I most like about Wells is his educated pessimism about the future. Whereas many authors think of the present as the necessary precondition for building a better future - and so unquestioningly accept the way things are now as a priori the way they need to be for a later better society - Wells criticises the established and the traditional, and sees in them the seeds of potential calamity. This is amply and unambiguously demonstrated in the degenerate races of The Time Machine: the Eloi and Morlocks function as logical evolutionary descendants of the upper- and working classes of Wells's time. Somewhat paradoxically therefore, the book also has the effect of investing human beings as we now are with great value: compared with the practically useless Eloi and the morally and culturally bankrupt Morlocks, we fare quite well.

Wells also has a tendency to go against plausible common-sense notions, and does it in such a way that he makes his alternatives equally plausible. It seems obvious that if we are more progressed now (at least technologically) than we were in the past, that we will be even more so in the distant future; but the Time Traveller has nothing to learn from the future - humans are far less intelligent than they were and their society is on the brink of total collapse. Wells's take on things is refreshing and cautionary.

My only beef with the book is that it ends a little abruptly and the later sections seems rushed. Other than that, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read that provides an unusual but respectable perspective on some 'big' issues.

A Warning? *****
In 1895, when Wells wrote the Time Machine, Britain was the greatest super power the world had ever seen. However, despite this, the poorer working classes were some of the most poverty stricken and desperate in all of Europe. The Time Traveller believes he has stumbled upon a world where the consequences of the growing gap between the rich and the poor can be seen. The poor people have evolved into the Morlocks and the rich people have evolved into the Eloi. The brilliance of the narrative comes from how it blends a social commentary with Darwinism. It must be noted however, that the Time Traveller only ever says this is his theory about the origins of the Eloi and the Morlocks, he can never actually say it with any positivity. The book ends beautifully with a touching moment in the Epilogue about what it truly means to be a human being and I allowed myself a soft smile when I read it. It is one of Wells early works but it does have a claim to be his most imaginative. Wells was really the first British writer of scientific romances and this tale leaves a lot more questions than answers, which doubtlessly Wells intended.

A Warning? *****

In 1895, when Wells wrote the Time Machine, Britain was the greatest super power the world had ever seen. However, despite this, the poorer working classes were some of the most poverty stricken and desperate in all of Europe. The Time Traveller believes he has stumbled upon a world where the consequences of the growing gap between the rich and the poor can be seen. The poor people have evolved into the Morlocks and the rich people have evolved into the Eloi.
The brilliance of the narrative comes from how it blends a social commentary with Darwinism. It must be noted however, that the Time Traveller only ever says this is his theory about the origins of the Eloi and the Morlocks, he can never actually say it with any positivity.
The book ends beautifully with a touching moment in the Epilogue about what it truly means to be a human being and I allowed myself a soft smile when I read it. It is one of Wells early works but it does have a claim to be his most imaginative.
Wells was really the first British writer of scientific romances and this tale leaves a lot more questions than answers, which doubtlessly Wells intended.

The Archetypal Scientific Romance *****
Wells was typically credited with several sf "firsts" & this archetypal novel is no exception. He originally wrote it as The Chronic Argonauts, whilst still a struggling biology student in London. Fate intervened when a publisher friend read it & sagely suggested he revise & re-write it up into its present form. The novels concept was original in that previous authors had limited their heroes to just travel randomly in time, subject to the arbitrary whims of fate. Whereas Wells hero could choose to travel at will into the past or future in a machine which he had invented. Wells also earned the sobriquet of the "Dickens" of his day. As he deliberately blended cutting satire with classic Darwinism to highlight social injustice. Which he does to compelling effect here: as the hero driven by scientific curiosity travels almost a million years into the future. Upon arrival at the foot of a massive bronze sphinx, he's shocked to discover that Disraeli's symbolic Two Nations (ie: societies Rich & Poor) have literally evolved into two distinct species: the poor into the "bestial" morlocks, & the rich into the "elfin" eloi. Wells then takes evolution to its shocking limits, as we discover the relative biological roles of the two species (ironically reversing the principles of capitalism). The hero initially meets the inquisitive eloi girl Weena, who guides him through this debased new world order. Eventually he discovers The Palace Of Green Porcelain, a vast ruined museum near the banks of the Thames. Used to wryly symbolise the rise & fall of our decadent civilisation. The hero becomes ever more disillusioned as the cunning morlocks steal his vital machine. Making him despairingly consider being stranded in this perilious future. However, after a fierce struggle with the morlocks, he soon recovers the machine & impulsively travels another 30 million years into the future. Stopping periodically on a perennial beach to witness the terminal devolution of mankind. Ultimately he dicovers that entropy has triumphed: the earth is now a barren desert, virtually devoid of life under the pitiless glare of a giant red sun. Finally, he returns to his own present to relate the tall tale to his incredulous friends. With scientific hindsight, its easy to condemn Wells predicted stellar lifespan as implausible. Yet despite being limited by scientific ignorance & lacking expert knowlege of nuclear physics, Wells basic principles of stellar entropy were correct (as that will probably be our suns ultimate fate sev. billion yrs hence...). As I first read the novel as a teenager many yrs ago, I must confess to being the willing victim of nostalgia here. Its stately influence has ensured it stubbornly remains amongst my all time favourite novels, & I hope it continues to inspire both past & future generations...

The Archetypal Scientific Romance *****

Wells was typically credited with several sf "firsts" & this archetypal novel is no exception. He originally wrote it as The Chronic Argonauts, whilst still a struggling biology student in London. Fate intervened when a publisher friend read it & sagely suggested he revise & re-write it up into its present form. The novels concept was original in that previous authors had limited their heroes to just travel randomly in time, subject to the arbitrary whims of fate. Whereas Wells hero could choose to travel at will into the past or future in a machine which he had invented. Wells also earned the sobriquet of the "Dickens" of his day. As he deliberately blended cutting satire with classic Darwinism to highlight social injustice. Which he does to compelling effect here: as the hero driven by scientific curiosity travels almost a million years into the future. Upon arrival at the foot of a massive bronze sphinx, he's shocked to discover that Disraeli's symbolic Two Nations (ie: societies Rich & Poor) have literally evolved into two distinct species: the poor into the "bestial" morlocks, & the rich into the "elfin" eloi. Wells then takes evolution to its shocking limits, as we discover the relative biological roles of the two species (ironically reversing the principles of capitalism). The hero initially meets the inquisitive eloi girl Weena, who guides him through this debased new world order. Eventually he discovers The Palace Of Green Porcelain, a vast ruined museum near the banks of the Thames. Used to wryly symbolise the rise & fall of our decadent civilisation. The hero becomes ever more disillusioned as the cunning morlocks steal his vital machine. Making him despairingly consider being stranded in this perilious future. However, after a fierce struggle with the morlocks, he soon recovers the machine & impulsively travels another 30 million years into the future. Stopping periodically on a perennial beach to witness the terminal devolution of mankind. Ultimately he dicovers that entropy has triumphed: the earth is now a barren desert, virtually devoid of life under the pitiless glare of a giant red sun. Finally, he returns to his own present to relate the tall tale to his incredulous friends. With scientific hindsight, its easy to condemn Wells predicted stellar lifespan as implausible. Yet despite being limited by scientific ignorance & lacking expert knowlege of nuclear physics, Wells basic principles of stellar entropy were correct (as that will probably be our suns ultimate fate sev. billion yrs hence...). As I first read the novel as a teenager many yrs ago, I must confess to being the willing victim of nostalgia here. Its stately influence has ensured it stubbornly remains amongst my all time favourite novels, & I hope it continues to inspire both past & future generations...

the Most overrated writer of science fiction!! *
Granted Wells was far, far ahead of his time, but really, his writing stinks. There's no character formation (bland unlikeable protagonists) and no passion for the art of storytelling. If he had a writing partner who could of helped him with these shortcomings, his very original ideas and his true vision of what he was trying to write might have come through better. I'm glad he was there to get the ball rolling for science fiction, but I forced myself to read all his books on the hopes and say-so that these were classics. I'd rather have read Verne, Bester, Miller and Huxley.

the Most overrated writer of science fiction!! *

Granted Wells was far, far ahead of his time, but really, his writing stinks. There's no character formation (bland unlikeable protagonists) and no passion for the art of storytelling. If he had a writing partner who could of helped him with these shortcomings, his very original ideas and his true vision of what he was trying to write might have come through better. I'm glad he was there to get the ball rolling for science fiction, but I forced myself to read all his books on the hopes and say-so that these were classics. I'd rather have read Verne, Bester, Miller and Huxley.

The Time Machine ****
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells depeicts the story of a man known as the time traveler who travels into the distant future with a time machine that he creates. I enjoyed this book pretty well, it is quite short and a quick read. The story is told through the voice of a man who is visiting the time travalers house at one of his many dinner parties. The entire book is written in first person. All and all a good book and an interesting view on what future lies ahead as told in the late 19th century.

The Time Machine ****

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells depeicts the story of a man known as the time traveler who travels into the distant future with a time machine that he creates.

I enjoyed this book pretty well, it is quite short and a quick read. The story is told through the voice of a man who is visiting the time travalers house at one of his many dinner parties. The entire book is written in first person. All and all a good book and an interesting view on what future lies ahead as told in the late 19th century.

Moon *****
I'm only on page 70, but this book seems to be a great one!!!

Moon *****

I'm only on page 70, but this book seems to be a great one!!!

Fascinating! ****
This is the story of an inventor that travels to the distant future in hopes of seeing how advanced humankind has become. Instead, he finds humanity divided into two separate but interdependent species. There are the peaceful, beautiful, indolent, and fairly stupid Eloi who live a life of ease in a surface garden where they await being summoned by the Morlocks who are ugly, brutish, and cannibalistic. The Morlocks live underground where they run machines and just about everything else as well. Ignorant of the Morlocks, the inventor make the acquaintance of an Eloi woman named Weena and, typical of the 19th-century male, finds her lack of actual intelligence rather endearing and falls in love with her. She shows him through the ruins of all that remains of his ancient world. There seems to have been a nuclear war, which is interesting, since this book was written in the 19th, NOT the 20th century. When the Morlocks introduce themselves to the inventor by stealing his time machine, he must set about to rescue both himself and the Eloi.... The only reason I give this old favorite of mine 4 stars instead of 5 is for the often old-fashioned language that, though fast-paced for a Victorian novel, is still sometimes rather heavy in places. Yet the wonderful story more than redeems itself.

Fascinating! ****

This is the story of an inventor that travels to the distant future in hopes of seeing how advanced humankind has become.

Instead, he finds humanity divided into two separate but interdependent species. There are the peaceful, beautiful, indolent, and fairly stupid Eloi who live a life of ease in a surface garden where they await being summoned by the Morlocks who are ugly, brutish, and cannibalistic. The Morlocks live underground where they run machines and just about everything else as well.

Ignorant of the Morlocks, the inventor make the acquaintance of an Eloi woman named Weena and, typical of the 19th-century male, finds her lack of actual intelligence rather endearing and falls in love with her. She shows him through the ruins of all that remains of his ancient world. There seems to have been a nuclear war, which is interesting, since this book was written in the 19th, NOT the 20th century.

When the Morlocks introduce themselves to the inventor by stealing his time machine, he must set about to rescue both himself and the Eloi....

The only reason I give this old favorite of mine 4 stars instead of 5 is for the often old-fashioned language that, though fast-paced for a Victorian novel, is still sometimes rather heavy in places. Yet the wonderful story more than redeems itself.

Still a Great Adventure *****
H.G. Wells, in The Time Machine, spins a classic tale full of adventure, vivid landscapes, sci-fi speculation and even a bit of veiled socialist politics. An eccentric scientist, known only as the Time Traveller to us, invents a machine that can travel along the fourth dimension, which he has discovered to be time. He flings himself into the far future. Is there high civilization? No. Is there high technology? No. What he finds in the future is far more curious... Personally, I couldn't put it down. I was reading it on a train trip, and I was so involved, I almost missed my station! Well's style really drew me in. It was like being told the story by an old friend. His descriptions are simple and effective, and you can almost feel the curiousity of the Time Traveller. Like him, you will want to know what happens next, from the speculations at the beginning, to the question filled ending. Though much of it has been imitated and repeated in time travelling stories since, I thought the "scientific" parts of the book were still fresh today, particularly the reasons Wells gives for why we can't naturally go back in time, and why you will never see a person in the process of travelling back in time. Very clever. In some ways, the "future" part of the book is a cautionary tale, in some ways it's a social commentary. Either way, the general message I got is that the actions of the past will have consequences in the future, even if we might not see them. Extensions of this concept have been very well used in science fiction since. If you're looking for a well written adventure to capture you're imagination for a few hours, the Time Machine is a book worth checking out. Exciting and thought provoking all the way.

Still a Great Adventure *****

H.G. Wells, in The Time Machine, spins a classic tale full of adventure, vivid landscapes, sci-fi speculation and even a bit of veiled socialist politics.

An eccentric scientist, known only as the Time Traveller to us, invents a machine that can travel along the fourth dimension, which he has discovered to be time. He flings himself into the far future. Is there high civilization? No. Is there high technology? No. What he finds in the future is far more curious...

Personally, I couldn't put it down. I was reading it on a train trip, and I was so involved, I almost missed my station! Well's style really drew me in. It was like being told the story by an old friend. His descriptions are simple and effective, and you can almost feel the curiousity of the Time Traveller. Like him, you will want to know what happens next, from the speculations at the beginning, to the question filled ending.

Though much of it has been imitated and repeated in time travelling stories since, I thought the "scientific" parts of the book were still fresh today, particularly the reasons Wells gives for why we can't naturally go back in time, and why you will never see a person in the process of travelling back in time. Very clever.

In some ways, the "future" part of the book is a cautionary tale, in some ways it's a social commentary. Either way, the general message I got is that the actions of the past will have consequences in the future, even if we might not see them. Extensions of this concept have been very well used in science fiction since.

If you're looking for a well written adventure to capture you're imagination for a few hours, the Time Machine is a book worth checking out. Exciting and thought provoking all the way.