janessaalexis's review against another edition
3.0
Technically, this is a DNF, but I feel as though I've read the entire novel.
Also, I think under other circumstances, I would've appreciated this novel more but, considering the stress that I felt while trying to read the entire novel a day before my professor's lecture on the book, I feel as though I only have a shallow understanding of what happened (even after the lecture!) and I wouldn't feel true to myself giving this book a higher rating.
Also, I think under other circumstances, I would've appreciated this novel more but, considering the stress that I felt while trying to read the entire novel a day before my professor's lecture on the book, I feel as though I only have a shallow understanding of what happened (even after the lecture!) and I wouldn't feel true to myself giving this book a higher rating.
kstoltzenburg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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? No
4.0
puchaea's review against another edition
5.0
It tells you a story of a far----distant future, an anti-mainstream one...
How the time-traveler made the machine, or how a gang of erudite people ended up gathering in an annual meeting were not told. It put you straight into the story of the time-traveler, in a narrative way.
I LOVE HIS ADVENTURE VERY MUCH. I am enchanted with his words. Being among human with no humanity is not a really pleasant experience, I am glad that this is not a gore-type. But it gives a different type of creep. The time-traveler then. I don't even dare imagine him being
RED AND BIG AND MOTIONLESS, that is super creepy!) and a gang of red monsters. I don't dare imagine the horror, and the terror.
But that horror and terror didn't fail to entertain me.
How the time-traveler made the machine, or how a gang of erudite people ended up gathering in an annual meeting were not told. It put you straight into the story of the time-traveler, in a narrative way.
I LOVE HIS ADVENTURE VERY MUCH. I am enchanted with his words. Being among human with no humanity is not a really pleasant experience, I am glad that this is not a gore-type. But it gives a different type of creep. The time-traveler then
Spoiler
went even further to the futureSpoiler
all alone with the big-red-motionless sun (a SUN,RED AND BIG AND MOTIONLESS, that is super creepy!) and a gang of red monsters
But that horror and terror didn't fail to entertain me.
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Social commentary hidden in a quite boring story.
wandering_turtle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
talaomte's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ilyaeve's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
spiralnode's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.0
H.G. Wells is known for his visionary work of sci-fi - this proof of what became a known trope in the genre, that of travelling through time. It's a small book of about 100 pages, and in my opinion the writing or the plot construction are nothing special, especially viewed from a contemporary lens, for me it served more as a better understanding of how these ideas have evolved and the shoulders we stand on when it comes to creativity in fiction, but also perhaps areas of ambition in scientific research.
The book starts with the framing device of Victorian intellectuals from various fields gathering to meet The Time Traveller. Only a few of these characters are named, the rest going by their job function. He explains how he's constructed a device that allows travel to both the past and the future, and demonstrates this by arriving dishevelled from one such trip. The narrative is one started by him - in year 802,701AD he has encountered two classes of creatures: the beautiful weak-minded Eloi and the darkness-thriving Morlocks. What on the surface appears to be a utopia, making it so that the Eloi seem to have an easy life, free of worry and any challenges, soon unveils its difficulties with the Morlocks, who have been dealt vastly different cards. Both implied and explicitly said, it is a call to action to prevent such stark class divides and strive towards societies that continue nurturing our thinking through continuous improvement with a focus on a good life regardless of societal standing.
I like this message, and it goes to show why H.G. Wells was so influential and remains an author that is read. Because the writing style sure isn't the convincing factor. It reads somewhat heavy, with a lot of descriptions that in the voice of The Time Traveller have the effect of a tell, don't show. He also quickly jumps to conclusions, with several developments being explained with 'it was obvious', 'I knew that', 'I felt that', rather than taking the reader on a journey. I much prefer being given the elements to figure out things myself before they are put forward, and I don't like these simplifications, especially because many of these things weren't obvious to me! It's funny because it goes to show how the human mind does revert to prejudices when faced with adversity and anxiety as a consequence.
For me, this book is of the category of exploring literature's evolution, an educational material, rather than necessarily entertaining. It wasn't bad, but not one I would have picked up without the curiosity instilled over time when hearing about the idea of time travel.
The book starts with the framing device of Victorian intellectuals from various fields gathering to meet The Time Traveller. Only a few of these characters are named, the rest going by their job function. He explains how he's constructed a device that allows travel to both the past and the future, and demonstrates this by arriving dishevelled from one such trip. The narrative is one started by him - in year 802,701AD he has encountered two classes of creatures: the beautiful weak-minded Eloi and the darkness-thriving Morlocks. What on the surface appears to be a utopia, making it so that the Eloi seem to have an easy life, free of worry and any challenges, soon unveils its difficulties with the Morlocks, who have been dealt vastly different cards. Both implied and explicitly said, it is a call to action to prevent such stark class divides and strive towards societies that continue nurturing our thinking through continuous improvement with a focus on a good life regardless of societal standing.
I like this message, and it goes to show why H.G. Wells was so influential and remains an author that is read. Because the writing style sure isn't the convincing factor. It reads somewhat heavy, with a lot of descriptions that in the voice of The Time Traveller have the effect of a tell, don't show. He also quickly jumps to conclusions, with several developments being explained with 'it was obvious', 'I knew that', 'I felt that', rather than taking the reader on a journey. I much prefer being given the elements to figure out things myself before they are put forward, and I don't like these simplifications, especially because many of these things weren't obvious to me! It's funny because it goes to show how the human mind does revert to prejudices when faced with adversity and anxiety as a consequence.
For me, this book is of the category of exploring literature's evolution, an educational material, rather than necessarily entertaining. It wasn't bad, but not one I would have picked up without the curiosity instilled over time when hearing about the idea of time travel.
lily_rose03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0