j_sumner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mbarkley's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
siobhanward's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I wish there had been more to this book. So much of this short novella was devoted to introduction and arguing with the time traveler about whether or not time travel was possible. By the time there was actual time travel, it felt like it went by far too quickly.
cerigx's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
hikari1993's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
athenarsanchez's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Yh this was alright I guess. Basically a time traveller tells the story of the previous week where he used his machine to travel to the future year of 802,701 AD. He sees that humanity has become like a socialist paradise with no toil socially or economically, they all like in large palace like buildings, vegetarians, same size, seemingly genderless and the children are basically miniature versions of the parents. There’s more but yh whateves, I also found it a little strange how much he was able to come up with at first glance and just by looking - bit too much detailed extrapolation kinda I dunno. After looking around he begins to consider there may be something going on underneath with these shafts and sightings of ape-like things so deduces that thousands of years ago humanity split into two species and yhhh they’re a note to it.
Writing was fine, characters ehh not really that developed or likeable, setting was good I guess. Some messages were put forward but nothing too much, maybe more could be taken if read when it was published but currently I didn’t gain much. The actual story was alright, I’m really not a sci-fi reader but wanted to check this classic granddaddy of the genre. I’m glad I did but it wasn’t my cup of coffee in all honestly. Would recommend if it sounds like something you’d be interested in. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Grammer which I think was presented well - he’s passionate, clear and I think if I was reading physically I’d of DNFd it earlier.
Last note: I just felt the relationship with Weener (dunno if that’s how you spell it) was a bit weird cause she’s constantly described as childlike and small and Yhh it was just kinda uncomfortable/cringy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism, Violence, Injury/injury detail, and Racism
edlin314's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very enjoyable short read. The future world(s) in this had such fairytale-like descriptions and elements, with of course some more adult elements. Honestly this felt very dream-like but a bit slow at times, or rather not gripping all the time.