The Time Machine

An older classic as a favorite called The Time Machine by H.G. Wells which tells the story of a scientist, noted as “the Time Traveler” chronicling his adventures with his ‘time machine’ and sharing the travels that he has by using it.  Over a dinner conversation, which he holds weekly, he tells his guests of the last adventure he had going to the future, 802,701 AD (pretty far in the future!) where he interacts with the Eloi, the civilization in the society he visits.  When he returns to the place where he placed his machine, he learns it is gone, and is confronted by the Morlocks (creatures which are nocturnal who fight the Eloi).  He has to battle the Morlock’s and believes they have captured his time machine.  In the midst of his search he befriends and has feelings for one of the Eloi, Wenna, whom is left to perish by her own society.  He feels he should bring her back as he searches for the time machine.  During a last battle between the on-coming Morlock’s and his struggle to take Wenna in tow, a voluminous fire erupts (from a fire he started) which allows him to escape, but he loses Wenna along the way.  He is able to find the time machine and venture back to his Victorian era, from whence he started.  Before returning he stops a few times on earth at different periods of time and notices the decay and ruination of civilization.  He finally returns to his home, which he learns that his travels took only 3 hours of present day time.  As proof of his trip he attempts to persuade his audience by showing them pieces of two flowers that he took from the Eloi’s territory.  The time traveler is not done.  As the next day the narrator visits his home and witnesses the time traveler preparing for his next trip.  And so begins the idea of time travelling, which is now one of the more prevalent concept for sci-fi books.  Thanks to Wells for introducing a “staple” in this genre of books.  An interesting read, though the story wasn’t as captivating outside of the time travelling piece.  I’d say not as developed for the first generation of the sci-fi books.