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The Time Machine and The Man Who Could Work Miracles
He succeeds in placing before the reader a vision of the world in cosmic time. - Norman Nicholson
The Time Traveller knew that Time was only a kind of Space. The fantastic story of his adventures in a machine which could travel in any direction of Space and Time has captured the imagination of millions.
H.G. Wells, one of the giants of twentieth-century literature, in this brilliant forerunner of today's SF did something which had never been done before and which has never been done since with the same vitality and bright inventiveness.
The Time Machine...that little masterpiece - J.B. Priestley
Also included is one of H.G.Wells' most popular and enduring short stories The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Cover Illustration: Alan Lee
The Time Traveller knew that Time was only a kind of Space. The fantastic story of his adventures in a machine which could travel in any direction of Space and Time has captured the imagination of millions.
H.G. Wells, one of the giants of twentieth-century literature, in this brilliant forerunner of today's SF did something which had never been done before and which has never been done since with the same vitality and bright inventiveness.
The Time Machine...that little masterpiece - J.B. Priestley
Also included is one of H.G.Wells' most popular and enduring short stories The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Cover Illustration: Alan Lee
123 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
5 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,306 books11.3k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 18, 2024
Story 3 stars**
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Malik Williams
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Malik Williams
July 18, 2017
The human experience is based in the four dimensions of length, width, depth, and time, but time is the only dimension along which human consciousness travels. We are mostly bound in two dimensions---without stairs and flying machines we can barely travel against gravity, and the most technologically-advanced civilizations have no method of moving against the constant velocity of time---that is, until H.G. Wells introduces The Time Machine.
If you are a fan of novellas, short stories, frame narratives, fiction that spares the reader pages and pages of excessive description, and narratives that focus on the philosophical and ethical consequences of scientific and technological experimentation, then this book is for you. The Time Machine is a classic work of science fiction which sets many precedents that are still alive in fiction today: dystopian futures; the dangers of uncharted technological exploration; and the mutability of the human condition that develops simultaneous with its scientific advancements, to name a few.
The narrative itself is fast-paced and effective. Wells moves through scenes and ideas with the diligence required to ponder heavy philosophical questions, but the scenes conclude with a rapidity that does not bore the reader. It is as enthralling as 20000 Leagues Under the Sea or Frankenstein without the lengthier descriptions of fish and creation, respectively. I have read this book before and I will soon read it again. A great book to read in a few hours if you can find the time. Without spoiling the plot, it is safe to say that The Time Machine presents a warning to anyone exploring future potentialities: time travel is dangerous when rushed. We are all time travelers right now---we constantly move into the future but we also make rapid, jerking returns to the past, be those returns purposeful or inadvertent. This human condition of time travel is much better than a machine-accelerated motion; the efficacy of machines too easily brings the past or the future into existence before we can properly assess what we have done.
I have The Time Machine in a couple different editions, and this edition includes a short Wells story entitled “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” a story which happens to be a tremendous demonstration of short fiction. In short, a man discovers he can perform miracles and he spends the rest of his days exploring how to best use his newly discovered gift. A great story that provides many cues for potential philosophical discussions.
If you are a fan of novellas, short stories, frame narratives, fiction that spares the reader pages and pages of excessive description, and narratives that focus on the philosophical and ethical consequences of scientific and technological experimentation, then this book is for you. The Time Machine is a classic work of science fiction which sets many precedents that are still alive in fiction today: dystopian futures; the dangers of uncharted technological exploration; and the mutability of the human condition that develops simultaneous with its scientific advancements, to name a few.
The narrative itself is fast-paced and effective. Wells moves through scenes and ideas with the diligence required to ponder heavy philosophical questions, but the scenes conclude with a rapidity that does not bore the reader. It is as enthralling as 20000 Leagues Under the Sea or Frankenstein without the lengthier descriptions of fish and creation, respectively. I have read this book before and I will soon read it again. A great book to read in a few hours if you can find the time. Without spoiling the plot, it is safe to say that The Time Machine presents a warning to anyone exploring future potentialities: time travel is dangerous when rushed. We are all time travelers right now---we constantly move into the future but we also make rapid, jerking returns to the past, be those returns purposeful or inadvertent. This human condition of time travel is much better than a machine-accelerated motion; the efficacy of machines too easily brings the past or the future into existence before we can properly assess what we have done.
I have The Time Machine in a couple different editions, and this edition includes a short Wells story entitled “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” a story which happens to be a tremendous demonstration of short fiction. In short, a man discovers he can perform miracles and he spends the rest of his days exploring how to best use his newly discovered gift. A great story that provides many cues for potential philosophical discussions.
October 7, 2023
I hoped there was going to be more time jumps forward and back but there were only a few into the far future; to 8271 and then 30 million years further.
The year 8271 had our humanoid decedents in perfect balance with nature but were weak, as there was no need for strength in conditions of comfort and security. They were vulnerable to the devious monkey-like beings from below ground.
Wells’ notion that intelligence arises from having to meet a huge variety of needs and dangers made sense:
“We are kept keen on the grindstone of pain and necessity, and it seemed to me that here was that hateful grindstone broken at last!”
There was a sadness to the future and the remnants of the planet. In the ruins of a museum the time traveller lamented the state of the books, entire lifetimes of work:
“…the enormous waste of labour to which this somber wilderness of rotting paper testified.”
The ending was somehow optimistic given the bleak state of things 30 million years ahead.
There is an ‘authorised sequel’ called ‘Time Ships’ by a different author which could be interesting to check out.
The other short story ‘The Man Who Could Work Miracles’ was also good. I took it that confidence strengthened Mr. Fotheringay’s willpower, which enabled him to perform ever larger miracles, until the big mistake. I liked the ending.
Speaking of willpower: “The thing’s unlimited seemingly”
The year 8271 had our humanoid decedents in perfect balance with nature but were weak, as there was no need for strength in conditions of comfort and security. They were vulnerable to the devious monkey-like beings from below ground.
Wells’ notion that intelligence arises from having to meet a huge variety of needs and dangers made sense:
“We are kept keen on the grindstone of pain and necessity, and it seemed to me that here was that hateful grindstone broken at last!”
There was a sadness to the future and the remnants of the planet. In the ruins of a museum the time traveller lamented the state of the books, entire lifetimes of work:
“…the enormous waste of labour to which this somber wilderness of rotting paper testified.”
The ending was somehow optimistic given the bleak state of things 30 million years ahead.
There is an ‘authorised sequel’ called ‘Time Ships’ by a different author which could be interesting to check out.
The other short story ‘The Man Who Could Work Miracles’ was also good. I took it that confidence strengthened Mr. Fotheringay’s willpower, which enabled him to perform ever larger miracles, until the big mistake. I liked the ending.
Speaking of willpower: “The thing’s unlimited seemingly”
March 21, 2026
I love anything to do with time travel, and I know this novel was one of the first to pave the way for the genre. It was quite good, but I found myself wanting more!, More adventure, more twists and turns, or perhaps more intriguing characters to engage with. Of course, every author has their own vision of time and how the future might turn out, and not all time travel stories should follow the same path. H. G. Wells’s Eloi and Morlocks were certainly unique; I was just less interested in the aspects of human nature, and more drawn to the scientific and mechanical side of things. I also would have preferred more meaningful relationships. Overall, the book was decent and should be appreciated for introducing the concept of the time machine as we know it today.
As for the short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles, it was really fun, and I enjoyed it a lot.
As for the short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles, it was really fun, and I enjoyed it a lot.
October 8, 2023
I saw the movie first. The book difference was a surprise.
An unnamed time traveler sees the future of man (802,701 A.D.) and then the inevitable future of the world. He tells his tale in detail. Some of the details are fascinating as the traveler comes to discover the secret of the results of social striation over centuries which eventually creates two separate species from humans. Which species is the more human? Can anything be done to prevent or correct this?
I grew up on the Rod Taylor /George Pal movie. When I started the book, I expected it to be slightly different with a tad more complexity as with most book/movie relationships. I was surprised to find the reason for the breakup of species (Morlock and Eloi) was class vs. atomic (in later movie versions it was political). I could live with that but to find that some little pink thing replaced Yvette Mimieux was too munch.
After all the surprises we can look at the story as unique in its time, first published in book form in 1895, yet the message is timeless. The writing and timing could not have been better. And the ending was certainly appropriate for the world that he describes. Possibly, if the story were written today the species division would be based on eugenics.
---------------------
So, let it be written so let it be done.
A miracle is something contrariwise to the course of nature done by the power of will. What would you do if you found you had the ability to affect miracles? This is the story of one Mr. Fotheringay who had to face just such a situation.
The writing and timing are pure Wells. And you can anticipate the outcome but not the details. The story is retold but never better told.
A close rival is "The Lathe of Heaven: A Novel" by Ursula K. Le Guin
An unnamed time traveler sees the future of man (802,701 A.D.) and then the inevitable future of the world. He tells his tale in detail. Some of the details are fascinating as the traveler comes to discover the secret of the results of social striation over centuries which eventually creates two separate species from humans. Which species is the more human? Can anything be done to prevent or correct this?
I grew up on the Rod Taylor /George Pal movie. When I started the book, I expected it to be slightly different with a tad more complexity as with most book/movie relationships. I was surprised to find the reason for the breakup of species (Morlock and Eloi) was class vs. atomic (in later movie versions it was political). I could live with that but to find that some little pink thing replaced Yvette Mimieux was too munch.
After all the surprises we can look at the story as unique in its time, first published in book form in 1895, yet the message is timeless. The writing and timing could not have been better. And the ending was certainly appropriate for the world that he describes. Possibly, if the story were written today the species division would be based on eugenics.
---------------------
So, let it be written so let it be done.
A miracle is something contrariwise to the course of nature done by the power of will. What would you do if you found you had the ability to affect miracles? This is the story of one Mr. Fotheringay who had to face just such a situation.
The writing and timing are pure Wells. And you can anticipate the outcome but not the details. The story is retold but never better told.
A close rival is "The Lathe of Heaven: A Novel" by Ursula K. Le Guin
July 24, 2017
Amazing. I found the first paragraph a bit off putting and the hardest to read but after that. Buckle up! What a great book. It really makes you wonder what its all about (life) and how in 300000 years nothing you do will matter.
I felt like I was in the book alongside the time traveller for the whole trip.
I felt like I was in the book alongside the time traveller for the whole trip.
December 4, 2019
Finishing The Time Machine in a week should be enough indication of how much I enjoyed it, given the fact that sci-fi is one of my least favorite genres (in both books and movies).
With that being said, I think I could’ve easily finished it in less time (the book is just 123 pages), but I had to go over a couple of chapters more than once since I find it a bit hard for me to grasp the topic of time traveling and, you know, just time in general.
Nevertheless, H.G. Wells succeeded in creating a fast-paced, philosophical, and exciting read that can grasp any reader’s attention regardless of whether or not they’re into science fiction.
With that being said, I think I could’ve easily finished it in less time (the book is just 123 pages), but I had to go over a couple of chapters more than once since I find it a bit hard for me to grasp the topic of time traveling and, you know, just time in general.
Nevertheless, H.G. Wells succeeded in creating a fast-paced, philosophical, and exciting read that can grasp any reader’s attention regardless of whether or not they’re into science fiction.
April 20, 2021
Ett nätt stycke historisk sci-fi. Wells arbete med att beskriva de olika miljöerna tidsresenären landar i är imponerande, och den underliggande filosofiska debatten om mänsklig utveckling, eller nedgång, är kittlande för sinnet.
Aningen tung emellanåt i det rent deskriptiva, den stora nackdelen enligt mig.
Aningen tung emellanåt i det rent deskriptiva, den stora nackdelen enligt mig.
July 21, 2022
Bogen er god, men jeg synes filmstiseringen af bogen er bedre.
Den tidsrejsende er også dejlig tåbelig, i sin være måde, til at man kan sige til sig selv imens man læser “så stop dog din legen med tændstikker!!!”
Fremtidens mennesker er super godt beskrevet. Jeg synes det er sjovt at vi ender med at være 3 fod høje i år 807301.
Alt i alt en god bog.
Den tidsrejsende er også dejlig tåbelig, i sin være måde, til at man kan sige til sig selv imens man læser “så stop dog din legen med tændstikker!!!”
Fremtidens mennesker er super godt beskrevet. Jeg synes det er sjovt at vi ender med at være 3 fod høje i år 807301.
Alt i alt en god bog.
January 7, 2024
probably not my favorite anymore but it still slaps
April 14, 2012
The version I'm holding in my hands is a 1953 edition and 1979 copy.
Apart from the little novella The Time Machine it also includes the short story "The Man who could Work Miracles".
H.G. Wells The Time Machine reminds me of Poe, Swift (Jonathan) and Darwin. The novella has the same scientific approach as Poe's detective stories. Here as well smart men gather to talk about the world in some kind of Socratic dialogue. Wells' Science Fiction is far more scientific than many later works in the genre. It is a combination of logical thinking and fiction, while later SF-works tend to be more fantastic (I'm speaking here of which I've read).
The novel also reminds me of Swift. The way one speaks about his own experiences, brought me back to a younger version of me who was listening to the story of Gulliver on tape.
Darwin is all over the book in my opinion. He is the basis of the Time Traveler's analysis of how the future civilization has evolved in the way it has. This all combined with a socialistic sauce.
I like the fact that the framework of the novel guides the reader into disbelieving the time traveler. The story is told by a dear friend, who retells the story the time traveler has told him.
"The Man who could Work Miracles"
The little story grips me more than any of Poe's works. The SF writing style with its "what if" way of implying things make it far more interesting and frightening than Poe's Gothic shorts.
Poe is a builder of dreams and Wells is the master of implication.
Apart from the little novella The Time Machine it also includes the short story "The Man who could Work Miracles".
H.G. Wells The Time Machine reminds me of Poe, Swift (Jonathan) and Darwin. The novella has the same scientific approach as Poe's detective stories. Here as well smart men gather to talk about the world in some kind of Socratic dialogue. Wells' Science Fiction is far more scientific than many later works in the genre. It is a combination of logical thinking and fiction, while later SF-works tend to be more fantastic (I'm speaking here of which I've read).
The novel also reminds me of Swift. The way one speaks about his own experiences, brought me back to a younger version of me who was listening to the story of Gulliver on tape.
Darwin is all over the book in my opinion. He is the basis of the Time Traveler's analysis of how the future civilization has evolved in the way it has. This all combined with a socialistic sauce.
I like the fact that the framework of the novel guides the reader into disbelieving the time traveler. The story is told by a dear friend, who retells the story the time traveler has told him.
"The Man who could Work Miracles"
The little story grips me more than any of Poe's works. The SF writing style with its "what if" way of implying things make it far more interesting and frightening than Poe's Gothic shorts.
Poe is a builder of dreams and Wells is the master of implication.
September 4, 2014
very much enjoyed this book. considering when it was written (1895) I was surprised to find the language was quite readable.
The Time Machine tells the tale of a man who travels to the year 802,701 and the much changed state he finds the human race in. There are some interesting ideas and funnily a lot of it doesn't seem too dated. Of course, some of it really hasn't aged well but I find that to be part of the beauty of old stories.
The bonus in this book is the little short story at the end, The Man Who Could Work Miracles. This is in sharp contrast to the main story, being light hearted and focusing on an ordinary man instead of a scientist. This man discovers that whatever he wills, happens - with disastrous results! It brought a wide smile to my face.
The Time Machine tells the tale of a man who travels to the year 802,701 and the much changed state he finds the human race in. There are some interesting ideas and funnily a lot of it doesn't seem too dated. Of course, some of it really hasn't aged well but I find that to be part of the beauty of old stories.
The bonus in this book is the little short story at the end, The Man Who Could Work Miracles. This is in sharp contrast to the main story, being light hearted and focusing on an ordinary man instead of a scientist. This man discovers that whatever he wills, happens - with disastrous results! It brought a wide smile to my face.
September 8, 2011
Just finished The Time Machine by HG Wells. First read for me and wow - v interesting! I think the end is closer than 802071 though, environmentally speaking. The little Eloi reminded me of dogs. And who were maintaining the gardens?? Not the Morlocks surely... ?? Despite the clunky writing style, I also loved The Man Who Could Work Miracles - about an unintelligent man who suddenly finds himself with a super power ...
December 31, 2022
Little romp of a narrative is propelled forth by Well's gather-ye-round writing style and a world-building that, if a little overwrought here and there, at least effectively situates you. Read this nearly all in one go huddled over a pint in the corner of a pub, and felt like it was a weary traveller not a bundle of paper I was hearing it from.
October 25, 2014
Anything to do with Warehouse 13 aside, I heartily recommend (re)reading HG Wells. He had a lot of amazing ideas which were far beyond their time, even if the style of writing is very much turn of the 19/20 century
January 6, 2014
Short, but packed with implications and ideas.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews