Reading 1001 discussion

Read 2012
This work was published in 1895 and has been considered science fiction genre even though Wells would not have agreed. It has been an inspiration of many works of fiction and the authors coining of the concept of a time machine and the concept of time travel was also a contribution to literature and movies. H.G. Wells was interested in social reform. This book was really social commentary. The author did not believe in a utopia where things would be perfect and in this book, the time traveler visits a time in the future where man has become two races and has destroyed all sense of a human race. This book would also be a dystopian work. H.G. Wells has written many works. So far, I’ve read The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Time Machine and Tono-Bongay. There are strong themes of socialism, social evolution and science in Well’s books. I most enjoyed Tono-Bongay of the three that I've read. The Time Machine is hard to connect to because characters don’t really have names but generally are identified by their occupations such as the psychologist, the medical man, the editor and of course the protagonist is known as the time traveler. Mr. Well’s works are noted for their racism, which was not unusual for this time.

4 stars. Read in 2013.

“There are really four dimensions, three which we call the three planes of Space and a fourth, Time.” Who doesn't love a good time travel story. This classic children's story has stood the test of time and is still relevant today. “Upon that machine, said the time traveler, holding the lamp aloft, I intend to explore time. Is that plain? I was never more serous in my life.”

This is one of those early science fiction books that just doesn't catch and hold my attention compared to other books I have read. I didn't mind listening to it, but I also did not feel like I got much from the experience. In this story, the future appears peaceful and wonderful, but then the time traveler discovers that in reality that is not at all the case. I did find it interesting to see it described as a "deliberate debunking of the utopian fictions of the late nineteenth century, in particular William Morris's News from Nowhere," in my copy of the 1001 book. I read News from Nowhere last year and also found it rather unbelievable.

The Time Machine is an easy to read classics. It tells us more about humanity all through the time. It's a great look at man and how he could go either way - toward the sunny, stupid people above or the dark, smart people below who eat the people above. It's a great adventure story, and the author did a great job narrating the story and bringing it to life.