Challenge Corner discussion

“I’ve had a most amazing time....”

So begins the Time Traveller’s astonishing firsthand account of his journey 800,000 years beyond his own era—and the story that launched H.G. Wells’s successful career and earned him his reputation as the father of science fiction. With a speculative leap that still fires the imagination, Wells sends his brave explorer to face a future burdened with our greatest hopes...and our darkest fears. A pull of the Time Machine’s lever propels him to the age of a slowly dying Earth. There he discovers two bizarre races—the ethereal Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks—who not only symbolize the duality of human nature, but offer a terrifying portrait of the men of tomorrow as well. Published in 1895, this masterpiece of invention captivated readers on the threshold of a new century. Thanks to Wells’s expert storytelling and provocative insight, The Time Machine will continue to enthrall readers for generations to come.

Probably actually starting this a little earlier, maybe the 18th, as I will likely need it for the Panem challenge.

Starting this now as well!

Ch 3: (view spoiler)[Eh, the time traveller is okay but definitely full of himself right now. I'm also wondering if he really want into the future or not.. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 6: (view spoiler)[Okay I am kind of intrigued by how different people are in this book. Underworld vs Overworld. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9: (view spoiler)[It's weird that he says he is a scientist.. because it doesn't really feel like he is to me. Mostly because the only scientific thing he really seemed do was use his damn matches. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[An interesting ending for something I wasn't even considering to happen. I'm not even a flower person but I thought that was sweet. (hide spoiler)]

This really flew by so I'm intrigued to see what you think Celia!

25% (view spoiler)[The beginning started off slowly since we had the unnamed observer, but I like where this is going. (hide spoiler)]

55% (view spoiler)[I like the idea of the split between the human race, and the idea of the rich losing their power, skills, and emotions once they'd reached the top and - quite literally - could remain there. I do want to see what the Time Traveller ends up concluding, as he references that some things were his original ideas but needed expansion. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 3: (view spoiler)[I have read this before but don’t remember much about it. I was surprised the first two chapters were just setup where the Time Traveler explains his plan. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 5: (view spoiler)[I think the Time Traveller was very careless. First he went forward 800,000 years on his first journey without a test run! Then he went walking all over without keeping an eye on his time machine! Since that is his only way back to his own time, I think he should have been more careful with it. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9: (view spoiler)[I agree with you, Alaina! A scientist should be trying to study the world, not just burning everything down. (hide spoiler)]

Celia Buell wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

I'm intrigued to see what you think next.

Celia Buell wrote: "55% [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that was a pretty interesting part in the book.

Caroline wrote: "Ch 3: [spoilers removed]"

Oh man! A re-read?? Okay I'm intrigued to see if your opinion changes this time around. Even if you don't remember much of it. I will admit it started off pretty slowly for me because of the planning phase.

Caroline wrote: "Ch 5: [spoilers removed]"

OMG! Yes, he was very irresponsible! Which is why I kept thinking.. did he even time travel or is this all a dream?

Caroline wrote: "Ch 9: [spoilers removed]"

LMAO YES! I'm just like... I get it. Burn a match and another match and ANOTHER match but where's the scientific stuff?

75% (view spoiler)[So I had a feeling Weena would die but I'm a little confused about how she died? It kind of seemed like she just died with no explanations, like just keeled over for no reason. After I realized about the cannibalism thing (idk is it actually that or are they different enough species now that it wouldn't be considered that?) I figured it was going to be some grotesque thing where he had to sacrifice her (as food) to get the Time Machine. But I figured she was going to die since he said he would bring her back with him and there's no evidence of that (also speaking of the scientific stuff or lack thereof, I see that as a BIG no-no in so many ways).

She was an interesting character though and I'm honestly not completely sure what her character did to the overall story. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[Okay I think I'm going to have to spend more time on classic science fiction rather than classic... stuff like the things I've read in high school (genre???) because this was a lot more interesting than I expected. I loved seeing views and speculations on humanity through a turn of century point of view.

I do find it kinda unrealistic that he attempts to do it again the NEXT DAY, though, especially when it messes him up so badly the first time. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[I am kind of not surprised the Time Traveller disappeared for good. Given how reckless he was the first time, I guess he just kept it up and didn’t get so lucky on his second trip.

I didn’t remember too much of this from before. I know I thought the Morlocks were creepy and the Overworlders were cute. But I didn’t remember that the Time Traveller thought they evolved from our Capitalists and Labourers, and I didn’t remember the Time Traveller being so careless.

I thought this was an okay book, but kind of weird and implausible. (hide spoiler)]