Federico DN's Reviews > The Time Machine
The Time Machine
by
by

To the future and beyond.
A group of people is greatly preoccupied by the absence of one of their friends. And serious concerns arise over his pitiful state when he finally returns to his home, raddled and haggard. The Time Traveler has been in the year 802,701 AD, and he has quite a story to tell.
This was good! Great even, maybe. Tbh I’m not fan of HG Wells style of writing, but can’t understate the importance of this writing, being one of the first ever recorded works of time travel and all. I absolutely LOVE almost everything regarding time travel, but unfortunately I couldn’t love this one, possibly because of having watched the movies first. I did enjoy and appreciate finally getting to know in great detail the original work, the Time Traveler, Weena, the Eloi, the Morlocks, and the whole story around it. (view spoiler) Did not enjoy the ideology/sociological explanations for the evolution/devolution of mankind, which I found theoretically and mind-numbingly boring, as much as the “Book of Goldestein� from 1984; personally I’d preferred to have left all that a mystery, but that’s me.
I’m positive if I hadn’t watched the movies ages ago I’d have enjoyed this so much more, but alas, even after all this time my memories still remain very much fresh. So the unavoidable predictability, plus the total absence of surprise (which means everything to me), greatly hampered my enjoyment of this book. The Time Machine (2002) is also one of my fav movies of all time, so it was very hard to compete against that too.
All in all, this felt mostly 3-stars, but if hadn’t watched it first I bet it would’ve been 4, maybe even 5. So I’m settling with 4. And still very much looking forward to reading the “War of the Worlds�, which I have also already watched. Dang.
*** The Time Machine (1960): By far the most accurate depiction I’ve watched so far. Rod Taylor and Yvette Mimieux play a decent Time Traveler and Weena, respectively. The movie was interesting enough, yet sadly left much to be desired. I just can’t deny the feeling that the movie felt kinda clunky and effects felt wildly dated by today’s standards, but you gotta love the movie funny version of the Morlocks lol. (5/10)
*** The Time Machine (2002): The most unfaithful and inaccurate depiction I’ve ever watched and by FAR the most entertaining and my most favorite one lol. Just LOVED everything about it! Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, Sienna Guillory and Jeremy Irons fantastic in their roles. LOVED the tragic backstory with Emma, the introduction of Mara instead of Weena, the utterly scary Morlocks and their Overlord. Completely LOVED the scenography, soundtrack and special effects, which totally blew my mind and is a perfect representation of how I picture and fantasize every day about time travel in my mind. Of course the movie has been widely panned and in all honesty deviates so much from the original work it hardly resembles it anymore. Don’t care. LOVED IT. (10/10)
It’s public domain. You can find it

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1895] [110p] [Sci-Fi] [3.5] [Recommendable] [Weena]
-----------------------------------------------
Hacia el futuro y más allá.
Un grupo de gente está muy preocupado por la ausencia de uno de sus amigos. Y surgen serias preocupaciones por su lamentable estado cuando éste finalmente regresa a su casa, gastado y demacrado. El Viajero del Tiempo ha estado en el año 802.701 d.C. y tiene una gran historia que contar.
¡Esto estuvo bien! Incluso maravilloso, tal vez. Sinceramente, no soy fanático del estilo de escritura de HG Wells, pero no puedo subestimar la importancia de este trabajo, que es uno de los primeros escritos registrados sobre viajes en el tiempo y todo eso. AMO casi absolutamente todo concerniente a viajar en el tiempo, pero desafortunadamente no pude amar esto, posiblemente por haber visto las pelÃculas primero. Disfruté y aprecié poder conocer finalmente en gran detalle la obra original, el Viajero del Tiempo, Weena, los Eloi, los Morlocks y toda la historia que los rodea. (view spoiler) No disfruté todas las explicaciones ideológicas/sociológicas sobre la evolución/involución de la humanidad, que encontré teórica y abrumadoramente aburridas, tanto como el “Libro de Goldesteinâ€� de 1984; personalmente hubiera preferido que todo eso hubiera quedado como misterio, pero ese soy yo.
Estoy seguro de que si no hubiera visto las pelÃculas mucho tiempo antes, habrÃa disfrutado esto mucho más, pero, por desgracia, incluso después de todo este tiempo mis recuerdos todavÃa siguen muy frescos. Asà que la inevitable previsibilidad, más la total ausencia de sorpresa (que lo significa todo para mÃ), perjudicaron enormemente mi disfrute del libro. La Máquina del Tiempo (2002) también es una de mis pelÃculas favoritas de todos los tiempos, por lo que fue muy difÃcil competir contra ella.
En general, esto se sintió principalmente como 3 estrellas, pero si no lo hubiera visto primero, apuesto a que habrÃan sido 4, tal vez incluso 5. Asà que lo promedio en un 4. Y todavÃa tengo muchas ganas de leer "La guerra de los mundos", cuyas pelÃculas también ya vi. Maldita sea.
*** La Máquina del Tiempo (1960): Por lejos la representación más fiel que he visto hasta el momento. Rod Taylor e Yvette Mimieux interpretan a un decente Viajero del tiempo y Weena, respectivamente. La pelÃcula me resultó suficientemente interesante, aunque lamentablemente dejó bastante que desear. No puedo negar la sensación de que la pelÃcula y los efectos se sintieron asquerosamente anticuados para los estándares actuales, pero no puedo negar que me encanta la versión retro de los Morlocks de la pelÃcula jaja. (5/10)
*** La Máquina del Tiempo (2002): Sin dudas la representación más infiel e inexacta que he visto en mi vida y por lejos la más entretenida y mi más favorita jaja. ¡Simplemente AME todo de ella! Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, Sienna Guillory y Jeremy Irons fantásticos en sus roles. AME la trágica historia de fondo con Emma, la presentación de Mara en lugar de Weena, los absolutamente aterradores Morlocks y su Mente Maestra. AME completamente la escenografÃa, la banda sonora y los efectos especiales, que me dejaron alucinado y son una representación perfecta de cómo imagino y fantaseo todos los dÃas sobre viajar en el tiempo en mi mente. Por supuesto la pelÃcula ha sido ampliamente criticada y, sinceramente, se desvÃa tanto de la obra original que al final apenas si se le parece. No me importa. AME TODO. (10/10)
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1895] [110p] [Ciencia Ficción] [3.5] [Recomendable] [Weena]
-----------------------------------------------["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
A group of people is greatly preoccupied by the absence of one of their friends. And serious concerns arise over his pitiful state when he finally returns to his home, raddled and haggard. The Time Traveler has been in the year 802,701 AD, and he has quite a story to tell.
This was good! Great even, maybe. Tbh I’m not fan of HG Wells style of writing, but can’t understate the importance of this writing, being one of the first ever recorded works of time travel and all. I absolutely LOVE almost everything regarding time travel, but unfortunately I couldn’t love this one, possibly because of having watched the movies first. I did enjoy and appreciate finally getting to know in great detail the original work, the Time Traveler, Weena, the Eloi, the Morlocks, and the whole story around it. (view spoiler) Did not enjoy the ideology/sociological explanations for the evolution/devolution of mankind, which I found theoretically and mind-numbingly boring, as much as the “Book of Goldestein� from 1984; personally I’d preferred to have left all that a mystery, but that’s me.
I’m positive if I hadn’t watched the movies ages ago I’d have enjoyed this so much more, but alas, even after all this time my memories still remain very much fresh. So the unavoidable predictability, plus the total absence of surprise (which means everything to me), greatly hampered my enjoyment of this book. The Time Machine (2002) is also one of my fav movies of all time, so it was very hard to compete against that too.
All in all, this felt mostly 3-stars, but if hadn’t watched it first I bet it would’ve been 4, maybe even 5. So I’m settling with 4. And still very much looking forward to reading the “War of the Worlds�, which I have also already watched. Dang.
*** The Time Machine (1960): By far the most accurate depiction I’ve watched so far. Rod Taylor and Yvette Mimieux play a decent Time Traveler and Weena, respectively. The movie was interesting enough, yet sadly left much to be desired. I just can’t deny the feeling that the movie felt kinda clunky and effects felt wildly dated by today’s standards, but you gotta love the movie funny version of the Morlocks lol. (5/10)
*** The Time Machine (2002): The most unfaithful and inaccurate depiction I’ve ever watched and by FAR the most entertaining and my most favorite one lol. Just LOVED everything about it! Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, Sienna Guillory and Jeremy Irons fantastic in their roles. LOVED the tragic backstory with Emma, the introduction of Mara instead of Weena, the utterly scary Morlocks and their Overlord. Completely LOVED the scenography, soundtrack and special effects, which totally blew my mind and is a perfect representation of how I picture and fantasize every day about time travel in my mind. Of course the movie has been widely panned and in all honesty deviates so much from the original work it hardly resembles it anymore. Don’t care. LOVED IT. (10/10)
It’s public domain. You can find it

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1895] [110p] [Sci-Fi] [3.5] [Recommendable] [Weena]
-----------------------------------------------
Hacia el futuro y más allá.
Un grupo de gente está muy preocupado por la ausencia de uno de sus amigos. Y surgen serias preocupaciones por su lamentable estado cuando éste finalmente regresa a su casa, gastado y demacrado. El Viajero del Tiempo ha estado en el año 802.701 d.C. y tiene una gran historia que contar.
¡Esto estuvo bien! Incluso maravilloso, tal vez. Sinceramente, no soy fanático del estilo de escritura de HG Wells, pero no puedo subestimar la importancia de este trabajo, que es uno de los primeros escritos registrados sobre viajes en el tiempo y todo eso. AMO casi absolutamente todo concerniente a viajar en el tiempo, pero desafortunadamente no pude amar esto, posiblemente por haber visto las pelÃculas primero. Disfruté y aprecié poder conocer finalmente en gran detalle la obra original, el Viajero del Tiempo, Weena, los Eloi, los Morlocks y toda la historia que los rodea. (view spoiler) No disfruté todas las explicaciones ideológicas/sociológicas sobre la evolución/involución de la humanidad, que encontré teórica y abrumadoramente aburridas, tanto como el “Libro de Goldesteinâ€� de 1984; personalmente hubiera preferido que todo eso hubiera quedado como misterio, pero ese soy yo.
Estoy seguro de que si no hubiera visto las pelÃculas mucho tiempo antes, habrÃa disfrutado esto mucho más, pero, por desgracia, incluso después de todo este tiempo mis recuerdos todavÃa siguen muy frescos. Asà que la inevitable previsibilidad, más la total ausencia de sorpresa (que lo significa todo para mÃ), perjudicaron enormemente mi disfrute del libro. La Máquina del Tiempo (2002) también es una de mis pelÃculas favoritas de todos los tiempos, por lo que fue muy difÃcil competir contra ella.
En general, esto se sintió principalmente como 3 estrellas, pero si no lo hubiera visto primero, apuesto a que habrÃan sido 4, tal vez incluso 5. Asà que lo promedio en un 4. Y todavÃa tengo muchas ganas de leer "La guerra de los mundos", cuyas pelÃculas también ya vi. Maldita sea.
*** La Máquina del Tiempo (1960): Por lejos la representación más fiel que he visto hasta el momento. Rod Taylor e Yvette Mimieux interpretan a un decente Viajero del tiempo y Weena, respectivamente. La pelÃcula me resultó suficientemente interesante, aunque lamentablemente dejó bastante que desear. No puedo negar la sensación de que la pelÃcula y los efectos se sintieron asquerosamente anticuados para los estándares actuales, pero no puedo negar que me encanta la versión retro de los Morlocks de la pelÃcula jaja. (5/10)
*** La Máquina del Tiempo (2002): Sin dudas la representación más infiel e inexacta que he visto en mi vida y por lejos la más entretenida y mi más favorita jaja. ¡Simplemente AME todo de ella! Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, Sienna Guillory y Jeremy Irons fantásticos en sus roles. AME la trágica historia de fondo con Emma, la presentación de Mara en lugar de Weena, los absolutamente aterradores Morlocks y su Mente Maestra. AME completamente la escenografÃa, la banda sonora y los efectos especiales, que me dejaron alucinado y son una representación perfecta de cómo imagino y fantaseo todos los dÃas sobre viajar en el tiempo en mi mente. Por supuesto la pelÃcula ha sido ampliamente criticada y, sinceramente, se desvÃa tanto de la obra original que al final apenas si se le parece. No me importa. AME TODO. (10/10)
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1895] [110p] [Ciencia Ficción] [3.5] [Recomendable] [Weena]
-----------------------------------------------["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
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Reading Progress
February 24, 2014
– Shelved
February 3, 2025
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Started Reading
February 4, 2025
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Feb 03, 2025 05:01PM

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Thank you ´¡²Ô»å°ùé±ð! It was good, sort of. Sadly I already knew most of it because of the movies, but there were a few surprising differences :)

Truly a classic of all times <3. Thank you Tina! Thoughts are up :)

I saw the 1960 movie as a kid and thought the Morlocks were super-scary!
Nice review Federico! I enjoyed this one as well. Maybe because like you, time-travel stories tend to appeal to me.


Oh I guess the 1960 morlocks were sort of scary, they just look so funny and much less scary compared to the 2002 version lol.
Thank you Ian! Glad to see you enjoyed it too <3

Thank you Mark! Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try! I think the odds are in your favor for winning at least a few times :). Wouldn't count humans playing it though, they will probably be AI robots by then lol.


That's why I almost never read a book after I've watched the movie, but since this one is so short I finally decided to take a chance :p. That movie is one of my most beloved guilty pleasures ever lol. Thank you so much Amina <3



Oh time travel backwards is also super fun! You can mess with your younger self, or maybe travel a bit further and poke a few dinosaurs lol. The movie is super action sci-fi good! Hope you enjoy it Ange. Don't worry never mind the book :p. Watched the “I Am Legend� with Will Smith and def that's another one I'll have to read and compare, someday. Thank you for the rec!

That one is crazy sci-fi good Diana! If you lean more towards the romancey side I can also rec 'The Time Traveler's Wife', if you don't mind spoiling the book, which I also need to read someday to compare with the movie :p.

Thank you Taufiq! Nothing beats the 2002 movie. NOTHING.

Superb review, Federico. A very rational and genuine rating, I say. :)

I have a lousy memory but it's very hard to forget one of you fav movies of all time lol. Thank you Srivalli <3! I tried to be as fair as I possibly could :p


Thank you Nora! It's quite a quick short one, around a hundred pages, give or take. Hope you enjoy it too :D

Funny, but the time machine you've included as your last image was portrayed on an episode of The Big Bang Theory!

Thank you Debbie! Meh it wasn't that terrible, I mean it could've been worse. MUCH worse lol. I remember that episode in tbbt! When Leonard thinking he bought a "miniature" prop from the movie lol.


Fun facts:
The Time Machine [1960] won an Oscar for those special effects.
The Time Machine [2002] was directed by Wells's great grandson.
Wells's estate commissioned Stephen Baxter to write a sequel, The Time Ships, in the 90s.
Great review!



Thank you so much Clint! Wow! Wasn't aware of any of those facts. That is SO funny lol. 1960 winning an Oscar for those horribly dated fx and 2002 great grandson directing the most outrageously unfaithful adaptation ever LOL.

It's a classic of all times Yun! A sci-fi must for any bookworm some might say ;). Thank you!

Thank you Himanshu! Glad to see you enjoyed it too. Even though I enjoyed the two movies differently I could rec both, depending what suits you best. 1960 for its faithfulness, and 2002 for the out of this world special effects. Take your pick ;) !

I remember loving the (1960)Time Machine version when I was a kid.
I'm going to revist that and watch Guy Pearce's and forgo the actual reading.

I remember loving t..."
Thank you so much Paul! Believe me it wasn't easy. I wanted to give this 3-stars so badly, yet in all fairness I just couldn't. If you watched the 1960 movie you pretty much got the book covered I say. The 2002 version might bring you a new perspective, though wildly inaccurate lol xD


Yeah 2002 slays hands down lol. I watch it every time I catch it on tv and just gets me every time <3<3. Such a groundbreaking work for its time indeed! Thank you Thibault! Glad you enjoyed the book and adaptations too :D

Me gustarÃa ver cómo empezó la Tierra, y cómo termina, tal vez. Acariciar algún dinosaurio, mientras no me coma. Ver qué onda el futuro, y qué nos depara. Tal vez matar a Hitler ya que estoy de paso, antes de que arme semejante quilombo. Que sé yo. Lo mismo que todos supongo jajaja xD. Gracias Lady A. <3


Oh yeah absolutely. The one with Guy Pearce and Samantha Mumba totally takes the cake for sci-fi awesomeness <3<3

I too had enjoyed the Rod Taylor movie. It's funny how you adored the critically panned one. That happens with me as well. I like silly OTT entertainers when I'm in the mood. :D

Yes, watching the movies and other adaptations first truly takes something away from the books that can't be replaced. Still, always nice to know the very first originals that spawned the whole thing lol <3. Thank you Rosh! Glad to know you enjoyed it too :D



/review/show...

Indeed. Quite the pioneer Mr. Wells! And mighty impressive for its time too. I guess not for nothing he's considered one of the founding fathers of science fiction lol. This was my first and only so far but very looking forward to reading his other works too :)


Ah if only one could do both things without any consequences for the other! But, alas, at least for me, reading the book or watching the movie, whatever comes first kills the surprise for the second. No way around it! Had never heard of that other book before. Thank you for the rec Valerie :) !

Sadly, I'm not so cheery as Mr. Wells Esta! Even in my most optimistic forecasts I think we'll destroy the Earth or each other long before we reach that age lol. But with some luck maybe some animals and greenery may yet be alive to see that day <3. Thank you and hope you enjoy it if you give it a go :D


Either good or bad, getting to know the very first one is always such a special treat <3. Thank you Alexandra! Glad you enjoyed it too :D