- Mass Market Paperback: 115 pages
- Publisher: Bantam; Reissue edition (1 July 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553213512
- ISBN-13: 978-0553213515
- Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 0.8 x 17.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,206,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Time Machine (Illustrated Classics)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
HG Wells virtually defined modern science fiction with the two tales featured in this double volume, a welcome addition to the SF Masterworks series. The Time Machine is the classic tale of a time traveller's journey to the world of 802,701 AD where humanity is divided between the bad and the beautiful, a simplistic vision at first glance but a prophetic take on a future that may not be so far removed from a reality yet to take hold, simply lurking in the shadows and waiting for the human race to bring it about by its own hand.
The War of the Worlds is perhaps one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written, a chilling, brooding tale that has lost none of its power or punch as the soulless alien invaders blast their way across the English countryside, collecting hapless humans for fiendish experiments and scorching the land. Coming at a time of great technological leaps and bounds, it is not surprising that the War of the Worlds makes as much comment on the fragility of the human race and its dependence on technology, as it does the indestructible nature of the human spirit. Though constantly beaten back, the dwindling human armies throw all the might of their warships at the alien machines with little or no effect--in the end, it is the common cold which brings about the downfall of the extra-terrestrial killers. Their motivations are never explained, nor do they need to be, their chilling cries echoing across the deserted, burning countryside of Britain accting as both a chilling war cry and a blood-curdling wake-up call. Surely, one of the most essential science fiction publications you could ever buy. --Jonathan Weir. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Every time-travel story since "The Time Machine" is fundamentally indebted to Wells." --Robert Silverberg, author, "Legends"
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Being a fan of dystopian novels I decided to take a look at this, having seen the film (the one with Samantha Mumba) a number of years before. Suffice it to say that the book and the film differ in many ways and that the book trumps the film tenfold.
The book is a real page turner, and is really short at 90 pages long. The plot has it all, both science and fantasy, intrigue, characters that are likeable and even prophetic undertones. One thing that greatly surprised me was the ingenuity of this novel and how many of things described by Wells were actually incredibly accurate even for our age. It is hard to remember that this book was actually written in the Victorian, and not the present, age.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I see no point in reviewing HG Wells' novel here. It is a classic, much better than either of the filmed adaptations and you should read it. This review is of the audiobook edition.
Scott Brick has a good reputation in the field of narrating audiobooks. In general when he keeps to his own soft californian vocal style the result is often pleasing.
Here however he is way off the mark.
For some inexplicable reason Brick decides to narrate the whole work in an outrageous accent that I guess he thinks sounds like British but only if you went to the Dick van Dyke school of elocution. The result is a cartoon-like pastiche of what Americans think British people talk like which is not only ugly to listen to but - as a Brit myself - quite frankly, insulting. Even if you can get past the ludicrous pronounciation, the delivery is mannered and melodramatic, sounding more like a foppish eighteenth century aristocrat than an Edwardian engineer. This time traveller sounds like he is going to pluck a perfumed lace hankie from his sleeve before swooning rather than crack some morlock skulls with an iron bar. If Brick had kept to his relaxed but articulate Santa Barbara drawl the effect would have been much more acceptable than this travesty. If you cant do accents and get them 100% right then dont even attempt it.
Oh, and its lu-BOR-a-tree not LAB-ratry. Get it right.
Scott Brick has a good reputation in the field of narrating audiobooks. In general when he keeps to his own soft californian vocal style the result is often pleasing.
Here however he is way off the mark.
For some inexplicable reason Brick decides to narrate the whole work in an outrageous accent that I guess he thinks sounds like British but only if you went to the Dick van Dyke school of elocution. The result is a cartoon-like pastiche of what Americans think British people talk like which is not only ugly to listen to but - as a Brit myself - quite frankly, insulting. Even if you can get past the ludicrous pronounciation, the delivery is mannered and melodramatic, sounding more like a foppish eighteenth century aristocrat than an Edwardian engineer. This time traveller sounds like he is going to pluck a perfumed lace hankie from his sleeve before swooning rather than crack some morlock skulls with an iron bar. If Brick had kept to his relaxed but articulate Santa Barbara drawl the effect would have been much more acceptable than this travesty. If you cant do accents and get them 100% right then dont even attempt it.
Oh, and its lu-BOR-a-tree not LAB-ratry. Get it right.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I normally read a book first and then decide whether to watch the film, but both the TV and big-screen versions were only mediocre, so I didn't bother with the book til it came up for free on amazon. What a find; I cannot believe that so much came from so short a novella.
This starts with The Narrator telling the tale as told to him by the Time Traveller, but then the latter takes over. The words were simple and evocative and I found myself picturing things differently to the books; the phrase 'less is more' sprang to mind. I also cannot recall the last time that I read a book with such quaint little pencil illustrations opening each chapter.
This was a great find, and can be read by anyone over the age of 7 (with a little help from mum and dad).
This starts with The Narrator telling the tale as told to him by the Time Traveller, but then the latter takes over. The words were simple and evocative and I found myself picturing things differently to the books; the phrase 'less is more' sprang to mind. I also cannot recall the last time that I read a book with such quaint little pencil illustrations opening each chapter.
This was a great find, and can be read by anyone over the age of 7 (with a little help from mum and dad).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Scientific Social Theory
Wells uses Darwins theory of evolution to show the Victorians what he believes will result from the split in society between the Haves and Have-nots in the times when Wells lived.
Published 20 days ago by InfBooks
Bleak and brilliant
Often regarded as one of the earliest science fiction stories, The Time Machine follows in the tradition of Swift's Gulliver's Travels and Voltaire's Candide. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Robert Cordner
excellent
After reading this it became apparently clear to me the reason why HG Wells is regarded as defining a genre... Read more
Published 3 months ago by lewis f talbot
As modern as tomorrow
I first read this novella many years ago, and was pleased to be able to pick it up for free recently as an eBook. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jeremy Walton
Not flesh eating morlocks!
How can you not like this book? It is short, quick to read and tightly written. The time travel part is equally as interesting as the setting of the book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by James Godwin
I've been going to the wrong dinner parties...
This is the first H. G. wells book that I have read, I have never been interested in science fiction, until now. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kindles
A Timeless Classic
Wells' debut novel certainly made its mark since not many other names are today remembered from the gulf that that separates Mary Shelley's `Frankenstein' (1812) from the inception... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rod Williams
Very good early science fiction
Among some of H.G. Wells most famous work, like "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" or "The War of the Worlds", "The Time Machine" is probably his most known story. Read more
Published 7 months ago by ManInsideTheHelm
Classic Sci-Fi
This is a classic English science fiction novel written by H.G. Wells in 1895.
Most people probably have an idea of the story, as two films were based on the book. Read more
Most people probably have an idea of the story, as two films were based on the book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nemo
Ahead of time?
After reading this, I had to ask myself was H.G Wells ahead of his time? (Sorry for the pun.
In 1895 time travel would have been a completely revolutionary idea, as was... Read more
In 1895 time travel would have been a completely revolutionary idea, as was... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alana The Geek :)
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