'The Time Machine' by HG Wells (Gollancz reprint, 2001)
So, as Old Father Time used his scythe to harvest 2018, I, rather appropriately, found myself reading the Science Fiction classic 'The Time Machine' by HG Wells.
In a middle class, Edwardian drawing room, a brilliant scientist and engineer demonstrates his latest invention; a Time Machine. His audience of intellectual friends include a Psychologist, a Provincial Mayor and a Doctor, who, despite what they see, remain unconvinced of his achievement. Determined to prove his theories, the Time Traveller sets out on an adventure in time, intending to bring back future proof of humanity's advances from centuries to come. But when he lands in 802,701, he's shocked by what he finds. The docile Eloi and the crumbling structures they inhabit disappoint his ideals of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. But disappointment turns to horror when he encounters a second branch of the Homo Sapien family tree - the sinister, darkness-dwelling Morlocks - and he begins to realise where the ills of his present could ultimately lead. Is it too late for civilisation or has the Time Traveller arrived just in time to give these descendants a better future?
Despite a bit of a wobble near the beginning, I really enjoyed this story. Wells parodies the hubris of his era in a scene where the Time Traveller hypothesises about what has happened between his time and 802,701 to create a people like the Eloi - think British Empire and the English 'civilising' the world because they know better than everyone else. My mind wondered a bit here, even though it was completely in character for a man of science. It's only a few pages, but felt a bit of a slog to get through and I was relieved when we got back to the action.
As with 'The War of the Worlds', I found the author's tactile descriptions very emotive. Just as I'll never quite stop finding the oily, tentacled Martians nauseating, the feathery touch of Morlocks reaching from the dark will stay with me for a while too.
Overall, despite it's age, I think this book still has something to say, especially to people interested in society and politics. Wells uses his stories to explore ideas, which, whether you agree with his opinions or not, makes his books more than just adventures in time and space. 'The Time Machine' encourages the reader to consider how the activities and power structures of today will influence humanity's long term future and, in doing so, whether it might be a good idea to do things a little differently for the sake of generations to come.
Now, what next...?
This review is based on the SF Masterwords edition of 'The Time Machine' & 'The War of the Worlds' by HG Wells, published in 2001 by Gollancz.
