From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Time Machine

H.G. Wells

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Science Fiction and Fantasy

* 2026 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Schedule
By Book Nerd , Purple Book Horse · 3 posts · 36 views

last updated Nov 20, 2025 07:25AM

* 2025 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Schedule
By Book Nerd , Purple Book Horse · 14 posts · 156 views

last updated Jan 05, 2025 07:59PM

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What Members Thought

Aug 28, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it did not like it

Shelves: classics, 1001-books, dnf

DNF. I tried to like it. I am not a SciFi fan, but loved 1984 when my book club chose it earlier this year. This past month they chose this one and I was hopeful it would be equally as good. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it. ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Nov 21, 2019 Book2Dragon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reread, fiction, horror, dystopian, classics, fantasy, owned, political-civil, scifi

I read this many, many years ago and only had a vague familiarity with the plot, but it certainly came back to me. At my age and here in the 21st century, it is interesting to read science fiction and what the authors thought the Earth might be in the future. Especially from a 19th century author as skilled as H.G. Wells.

I looked at some trailers for the movies made of this story last night. Reading this horror is one thing, and scary enough for me, but seeing it on screen just a bit too scary! ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2008 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: british-literature, fiction-20th-century, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, book-and-movie, science-fiction, dystopia

A man's vision for a utopian society is disillusioned when travelling forward into time reveals a dark and dangerous society. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Charlotte Clementine rated it it was ok

Shelves: classics, british, 19th-century, science-fiction

I was quite disappointed by "The time machine". Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe it's never a good idea to expect anything before starting a book, anyway I can't help but feel let down.
While I found the references to Communism very interesting and pertinent, the story lacks details, adventure, excitement. Many questions remain unanswered and many others are not even raised.
I wish the story was longer and, dare I say, more audacious. ...more

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Mar 07, 2008 Becca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: scifi, fiction

This novel is innovative for late 1800s. It seems he was spot on about several things. I wonder what Wells would think of society today––would he think it had deteriorated?

I wonder why Wells chose to use little dialogue?

I like that the time traveler is telling his story, and I loved realizing that his 'audience' was fictional. We, the readers, were the 'second' audience, if that makes sense. Well, I found that interesting, anyway.

I love any savagery v. civilization type books. :)

This is the fi ...more

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