The Time Machine ~ Chapters 1 ~. 4

[Marialyce]

I am reading this on my Kindle. I will fill in chapters as I proceed.

[Marialyce]

Immediately, the item that strikes me is that most of the characters presented in the first two chapters have no names. They are designated by their professions and to my way of looking at it right now lack identity.

I believe most of them think this is a simple parlor trick, although they do give a lot of weight to the concept of time travel. When the Time Traveler stumbles into the dinner, returned from his journey we suppose in time, it sets up the story and gets one interested as to its outcome. Wells created suspense here and pushes the reader to continue to see
where or even if The Traveler has travelled.

In the story, we see the mention of Communism which I think was just emerging during Wells' time. He seems to make aspersions to it in the fact that if all people live together in a sort of harmony, the human race will become simple. Without competition, intelligence will wane, and the result will be classless, sexless society without much to do or anything to make them more intelligent. Even one's physical stature will diminish. At this point the Time Traveler seems disappointed in the future of mankind. We have become small,
indistinct creatures.

Interesting too, that as The Time Traveler hurtles through time, he hears thunder......sort of like what we today think of as a sonic boom.

[LauraT]

You're too ahead!!! I'll start as soon as I can; maybe today...

[Marialyce]

LauraT wrote: "You're too ahead!!! I'll start as soon as I can; maybe today..."

Don't worry, Laura....whenever you can read and post is just fine. No pressure here at all.:)

[Marialyce]

Jackie Renee wrote: "I just started reading it late last night so I didn't get very far. So far, I am seeing a lot of details (like the reference to Communism) that I missed when I read it as a child."

That went totally over my head as a child too. Funny though, I do remember a lot of it just not the political side which I guess was the whole point.

[Jamie]

I have wanted to read a book by H.G. Wells for some time so this is perfect. I have a collection of his and I will try and start soon. Great buddy read!

[Marialyce]

Glad to have you here, Jamie.

[Shay]

I have the B&N version of this- with all of the notes and stuff. Although Wells wasn't a fan of Marxism, he was at the time a believer in socialism. Although he later denounced them, at the time he wrote the novel, he was a member of The Fabian Society. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabian_S...

[Jamie]

Marialyce wrote: "Immediately, the item that strikes me is that most of the characters presented in the first two chapters have no names. They are designated by their professions and to my way of looking at it right..."

I like how the time traveler called three of the people "blank and dash and chose". I am really enjoying this because it is so much different from other Victorian literature I have read. I have always loved science, my degree is in chemistry To read a book that was written over a hundred years ago that is full of scientific and social topics and is relatable to today's reader makes the book seem ahead of it's time. There were some great minds during this time also.

[Marialyce]

I agree, Jamie. I think with the absence of many electronic distractions we have today, the people , particularly the men were able to expand their minds through interactions with others that took on in depth conversations between one another. They read more, they interacted more in their clubs, they just seemed more in tune with their surroundings. Their interests were able to grow because in a way, life was simpler then and they had time with little else going on to learn from others and books, and newspapers.

[LauraT]

I've started yesterday and I'm not finished with this part yet, but up to where I'm I have to say that i like it a lot: Science fiction not all centred into elettronic device: WOW!!!
This is the first book by Weels that I read and I have to say that I like his style: I had never considered him victorian, but in how he writes I have to say that he really is a victorian writer!!!

[Marialyce]

It certainly is a very different Victorian novel, Laura. He was certainly a prolific writer..

Ann Veronica
In the Days of the Comet
Love and Mr. Lewisham
Mr. Britling Sees It Through
The First Men in the Moon
The Food of the Gods
The History of Mr. Polly
The Invisible Man
The Island of Doctor Moreau
The New Machiavelli
The Research Magnificent
The Secret Places of the Heart
The Soul of a Bishop
The Time Machine
The War in the Air
The War of the Worlds
The Wheels of Chance
The World Set Free
Tono Bungay
When the Sleeper Wakes

I have only read his The War of the Worlds and of course seen the movie.

[LauraT]

I do agree; sometimes is wise to enlarge the view!!!

[Sasha]

Agreed that the term "Victorian" is...complicated?

I've only read The Island of Dr. Moreau besides this. (Also terrific, and very interested in Darwinism.) War of the Worlds and Invisible Man are coming up this year, and maybe First Men in the Moon.

He also wrote A Short History of the World, an actual history book that a friend says is really interesting. It's through a Socialist lens, of course, so one would have to take it with the same grain of salt one takes any nonfiction writer with a political agenda.

[Marialyce]

Interesting Anna. I know some hold very strictly to the dates you mentioned and feel that anything not falling within these years in not Victorian.

I did notice that Wells wrote a few non fiction books as well. He certainly was a very busy writer!