"There is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along it," claims the Time Traveller ('for so it will be convenient to speak of him').
And so on the basis of this theory begins a classic science-fiction novel from H.G. Wells, ... Read review
One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools, this is Wells's classic ... more
science-fiction story. Strapped on his time machine, the time traveller discovers the secret of the fourth dimension, and journeys far into the future to find out what is to happen to mankind.
Advantages: Intelligently written, very good storyline, interesting vision of the future Disadvantages: Heavy-going read, very complex, brief ending
...between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along it," claims the Time Traveller ('for so it will be convenient to speak of him').
And so on the basis of this theory begins a classic science-fiction novel from H.G. Wells, that despite having been written well over a hundred years ago now, still shines brightly.
Narrated by an unnamed man and taking place in the late ... ...to a group of friends the logic behind travelling through the Time dimension, and then proceeds to try out his newly-built time machine, reappearing shortly afterwards to tell his guests of a quite extraordinary eight day trip into the distant future.
So, unlike in the recent film-adaptation, the bulk of the story sees the Time Traveller telling of his trip to London, 802701 A.D. Upon his arrival, it's fair to say he was not expecting ... more
"There is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along it," claims the Time Traveller ('for so it will be convenient to speak of him').
And so on the basis of this theory begins a classic science-fiction novel from H.G. Wells, that despite having been written well over a hundred years ago now, still shines brightly.
Narrated by an unnamed man and taking place in the late 19th century, The Time Machine focuses on the Time Traveller, who first describes to a group of friends the logic behind travelling through the Time dimension, and then proceeds to try out his newly-built time machine, reappearing shortly afterwards to tell his guests of a quite extraordinary eight day trip into the distant future.
So, unlike in the recent film-adaptation, the bulk of the story sees the Time Traveller telling of his trip to London, 802701 A.D. Upon his arrival, it's fair to say he was not expecting the frail-looking, slight, almost child-like descendants that he would encounter. The Eloi, as they to become known, were simple people, who seemingly had lost the emotions of fear and anger and instead just ran around giggling a little whilst handing each other flowers.
Wells' description of time travelling is instantly attractive; the future proves a mixture of wonderment and disappointment to the central character, who on the plus side notes the lack of bugs and bacteria in the air, the growth of lavish, soft lawns and a plethora of unknown fruits in the surroundings; but is also aggravated by the short attention spans and apparent lack of intelligence in the Eloi race.
Things go unexpectedly wrong for the Time Traveller on the first night though - his machine goes missing! Forced to stay in this alien environment, he makes an attempt to learn the Eloi's simple but restrictive language and understand their peculiar behaviour traits.
As it turns out the Eloi do have one, very extreme, fear - darkness. Intrigued, the Time Traveller moves out into the nighttime and discovers the pale, horrifying Morlock creatures prowling the land. He deduces that both the Eloi and Morlock creatures descended from humans, but branched of at some point to live in Upperworld and Underworld environments. The Morlock's live underground in tunnels, and prove very sensitive to light. It becomes quickly apparent that Time Traveller suspects the Morlock's have stolen his machine, and he also grows to despise them for the cannibal tendencies; he tells of the satisfaction he felt when crumpling one's skull with his fist! And so with his aptly-named Eloi companion Weena, he sets off in search of his machine and a way to return to his own time.
Though the book is only 95 pages long, it is quite heavy going - it took me several sittings to read through it all. Perhaps this is to do with Wells' interesting but also scarily feasible explanations of time/space travel, it gets very complex at times and you'll need 100% concentration to understand what is happening - he was a genuinely intelligent author and this comes across throughout the novel.
Characters are fairly good, though it's only the Time Traveller who is described in any great depth; his fears, feelings, expectations and reactions are all made very clear to the reader and it's surprising how much depth there is to the book considering it is so small by today's standards.
Overall, I found it a fairly challenging read (I'm used to Stephen King and James Patterson!), but a story that ultimately triumphs due to it's unorthodox but absorbing view of the future. Ahead of it's time, and recommended to science-fiction fans.
Advantages: Persuasive and enormously influential science-fiction. Disadvantages: Perhaps too abstract for readers of the realist novel.
...1895, 'The Time Machine' is the first in H. G. Wells' impressively consistent bibliography, followed a year later by the equally (or perhaps more) famous 'War of the Worlds.' Time-travelling DeLorians and all Star Trek episodes where the characters wind up in the late 20th century and have hilarious mishaps (ha ha) owe their existence to Wells' innovative sledge.
'The Time Machine' is one of the first truly extrapolative science fiction stories, ... ...current scientific thinking, with only the slightest hint of magic to distinguish his world from ours, as the time machine is made of a partially ethereal material. Suspension of disbelief is aided by the Time Traveller's persuasive rationalising of the impossible to his assorted group of wealthy sceptics, one of whom begins the narration of the book before the Time Traveller takes over. This narrator, Hillyer, encourages the reader to go along with ...
Frankingsteins 02.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Time Machine - H. G. Wells
Advantages: A concise classic you can read in an afternoon. Disadvantages: Perhaps should have been longer, more time periods etc.
...machine, goes 200,000 years into the future, has some adventures, comes back tells friends about it. Simple as that. Considering how complicated some modern tales of time travel get, the original does it with simplicity and suprising brevity coming in at just over 100 pages.
Review
I am now well aquainted with H.G Wells's wirting style having read his main five science fiction novels in quick-succession. And 'quick' is right for none are much over ... ...lack fim details on the distinctions. And what I have found is this. Wells is not a natural writer. That is, his stories, for me, lack character. He comes up with these huge culture impacting ideas that resonate so strongly and and are still adapted to this day. Reading his stories through though is another matter. Theoretical physics and sociological philosophy come to the fore at the expense of characterisation and plot. In the end; more essays ...
thegoldencat 26.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Time Machine - H. G. Wells
Advantages: A page turner, you will read again. Disadvantages: Way too short.
The Time Machine.
Author - H.G.Wells.
(1866 - 1946)
Dismiss the original 1960s film from your mind because there are notable differences in the book.
In fact ignore completely the 2002 film which was so removed from the spirit of the book that Wells must have been turning in his grave.
It begins with the nameless 'Time Traveller' conversing with his fellow academics about the theory of a 4th dimension, Time.
He demonstrates with a tiny model ... ...He travels forward to the year 802,701 A.D. where the people are only 4ft tall.
Disease has been eradicated over the millennia, the higher mammals have died out, in fact, and as man has ceased to strive so has he ceased to care. The human spirit needing to fight no more has instead become indulgent and with it his intelligence has declined.
The story of the time machine is a haunted tale and you can see why the ending was changed for the silver ...
Maximus-Qualitus 25.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Time Machine - H. G. Wells
The Time Machine. =============== A wonderful book that is simply far better than any film could come close to matching. We follow the adventures of the time traveler, who in the book has no name. Not sure if that was somehow significant to H.G.Wells? He is trying to convince his friends of the plausibility of time travel and how it exists and so can be moved through. they are unconvinced but unknown to them he has already built a prototype in his ... ...and off the reader goes on what must be, even today, a wonderful and fresh adventure. He travels to the year 802,701 A.D. where humans have become timid and only 4ft tall. They are called the Eloi and are prayed upon by cannibalistic Morlocks. He can not stand by and do nothing but he is fighting the evil Morlocks and also the apathetic Eloi. The story is harrowing to read and this is not really captured in either of the two films. He really does ...
MaldivesHoliday 07.02.2009
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The TimeMachine.
=
Author - H.G.Wells.
(1866 - 1946)
Dismiss the original 1960s film from your mind because there are notable differences in the book.
In fact ignore completely the 2002 film which was so removed from the spirit of the book that Wells must have been turning in his grave.
It begins with the nameless 'Time Traveller' conversing with his fellow academics about the theory of a 4th dimension, Time.
He demonstrates with a tiny model which they are sceptical about, all accept Filby, his closest friend.
He proposes to time travel before they next see him.
A week later he is late for his own dinner party, eventually making a startling entrance, dishevelled and agitated.
He takes a seat and a glass of champagne (yes champagne) and begins to recite his story.......,
He travels forward to ...
Advantages: A very comprehensive overview Disadvantages: Sometimes not detailed enough
overcome death. H.G. Wells 'The TimeMachine' published in 1895 perhaps set this movement in motion. The genre continued throughout the twentieth century, when authors such as Orwell and Huxley based novels on the way in which they imagined society might be run in the future. Spy Fiction became popular on a large scale during the twentieth century, with Ian Fleming dominating the post-war era. Both John Le Carre and Frederick Forsyth carried this genre through to the end of the century. The final two-page overview deals with Structuralism and Post Structuralism.
Following the alphabetical listing, Appendix 1 is a chronology dating from the year 1000, with principal literary works in the left-hand column and other major events in the right-hand column. This again would be valuable to A-Level students who have to discuss literary works in ...
Advantages: Well written, Well illustrated Disadvantages: Some original artwork has been omitted from the book version
this there are also a lot of humorous touches included.
OVERALL
This book combines the various editions of the story that were originally published as individual episodes. Included at the end is a short story by Alan Moore entitled 'Allan and the Sundered Veil' with accompanying black and white illustrations by Kevin O'Neill. The story is made up of six short chapters and features Allan Quatermain. It is set before the formation of the League and to some extent explains how the famous adventurer ends up as pityful drug addict in the slums of Cairo, when we first meet him in the main story. The story also features a mysterious 'Time Traveller' that is based on HGWells character in his novel 'The TimeMachine'. I'm not sure if this story was originally serialised in a comic but judging from the format and the chapter layout this would ...
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Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Science Fiction
Title
The Time Machine
Author
H. G. Wells
ISBN
1604240504
EAN
9781604240504
Manufacturer's product description
Written in 1895 the Time Machine is an early example of time travel. The Traveler uses his machine to visit many different eras. In 802,701 A.D he discovers a communistic community that is quite peaceful. The Eloi had no conflict and because of that there was no need for improvements thus their culture was stagnating. The Traveler discovers that under the surface things are not as they seem.
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