The Time Machine

by H.G. Wells, H G Wells, H. G. Wells, HG Wells
The Time Machine cover
Good Books rating 2.98
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Technical
  • ID: 4321
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9780191017100
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • Published: 2016-12-22
  • Formats: 28
  • Reviews: 4

In H.G. Wells' seminal work, The Time Machine, a Victorian scientist known as the Time Traveller recounts his journey to the distant future, where he discovers a starkly divided society. The Eloi, delicate and peaceful beings, live above ground, while the Morlocks, grotesque and subterranean creatures, dwell below. This dystopian vision serves as a critique of Victorian ideals of progress and improvement, as well as a detailed satirical commentary on the Decadent culture of the 1890s./n/nPublished in 1895, The Time Machine is the first book by H.G. Wells and is credited with helping to invent the science fiction genre. The novel's exploration of time travel and its social commentary have made it a enduring classic. This edition includes a contextual introduction, detailed explanatory notes, and two essays by Wells written just prior to the book's publication.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · Kat Hooper · 2025-12-18
visionary 4.50

The book is a classic that everyone should read, showcasing Wells' visionary storytelling. The narrative is groundbreaking and absolutely gorgeous in its exploration of time and society.

Kat Hooper highly recommends this classic, emphasizing its visionary storytelling and groundbreaking narrative. They found the book to be absolutely gorgeous in its exploration of time and society, making it a must-read for anyone interested in science fiction. The reviewer appreciates the depth and beauty of Wells' work, highlighting its enduring relevance and impact on the genre. The book is seen as a timeless piece that continues to captivate readers with its imaginative and thought-provoking content.

Quick quotes

    It's a classic, so everyone should read it.

    The Time Machine is one of H.G. Wells' most visionary works.

    The narrative is groundbreaking and absolutely gorgeous.

Goodreads · 2025-10-21
good 3.90

The book reads well on its own, with Wells' writing being particularly clever and accessible. The concepts are presented in a way that is easy to understand.

This reviewer enjoyed 'The Time Machine' and found it to be a standalone read that works well on its own. They were particularly impressed with H.G. Wells' writing style, which they described as clever and accessible. The reviewer appreciated how Wells presented complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand, making the book enjoyable and engaging. They gave the book a rating of 3.9 out of 5, indicating a positive overall experience with the read.

Quick quotes

    A book that reads well on its own.

    What I especially liked was Wells' clever writing.

    He doesn't take his readers down and makes concepts very accessible.

Reddit - ScienceFictionBooks · 2024-04-29
mediocre 2.50

The book is more of a dystopian story than a time travel narrative, and it is a mediocre one at best. It should be read in its historical and social context.

This review points out that the book is more of a dystopian story than a time travel narrative, and it is a mediocre one at best. The reviewer suggests that the book should be read in its historical and social context to fully appreciate its significance. They note that the book's visionary aspects are overshadowed by its dystopian themes, and the bleak view of the future is particularly striking. The reviewer appreciates the book's historical context but finds the narrative somewhat lacking.

Quick quotes

    The book is more of a dystopian story than a time travel narrative.

    It should be read in its historical and social context.

    The bleak view of the future is particularly striking.

Nerds Like Me · 2020-09-14
disappointing 1.00

The science in the book was interesting for its time, but the story itself was not particularly engaging. The concepts were modern for the era, but the execution left something to be desired.

This reviewer found the scientific elements of 'The Time Machine' to be fascinating, especially considering the time it was written. They appreciated the innovative use of science in fiction, which was quite modern for the era. However, they felt that the story itself was not as compelling. The concepts were intriguing, but the execution and overall narrative did not fully capture their interest. They gave the book a rating of 2 out of 5, indicating that while it had some interesting aspects, it was not a standout read for them.

Quick quotes

    It was interesting seeing the science that would have been fairly modern at the time being used for fiction.

    The story itself was not particularly engaging.

    The concepts were intriguing, but the execution and overall narrative did not fully capture my interest.

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