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  • The Time Machine

  • By: H. G. Wells
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (278 ratings)
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The Time Machine cover art

The Time Machine

By: H. G. Wells
Narrated by: John Banks
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Summary

When a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year 802,701 AD, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realises that this beautiful people are simply remnants of a once-great culture - now weak and childishly afraid of the dark. But they have every reason to be afraid: in deep tunnels beneath their paradise lurks another race descended from humanity - the sinister Morlocks. And when the scientist's time machine vanishes, it becomes clear he must search these tunnels, if he is ever to return to his own era.

About the Narrator: John Banks is one of the UK's most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor.

About the Author: Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the "father of science fiction." His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

©2017 Fantom Films (P)2017 Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd/Fantom Publishing

What listeners say about The Time Machine

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great

recommend the following...

listening to book

then listening to the BBC "in our time" podcast about the book.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009bmf

then listen again to the book

that will help you get a good understanding of the social and political background to the book and HG Wells himself which I was never aware of and greatly enhanced my enjoyment

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

interesting thoughts

I decided to listen to this book as its a classic and I wanted to broaden my reading interests.
the book was ok, I didn't realise how short it was but considering when it was written, found it pleasant enough.
i found the idea that HG Wells wanted to write about a time that is so far into the future that its even wonder if our world will still exist then, or if it will have died out long since.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Story Read Brilliantly by John Banks

The Time Machine was the first ever audio book I listened to back when I was a kid, many moons ago (not this particular rendition of course). I can’t remember who narrated it but it was on audio cassette. I have always loved this story by HG Wells.

John Banks reads this book superbly. His voice is pleasant to listen too, and he makes the story come alive. I will certainly be listening to John Banks read some more HG Wells novels.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The story is not good

The writing is masterfully done. The narration is above average, in my opinion.
I loved the story start, and was very intrigued. Everything went downhill from there. Simply put, I found it boring, uneventful and the main character not likable. I was feeling sorry and rooting for the opposition at a certain stage.

Usually I love my 30 to 40 hour books and when I saw this was only 3.5 hours, I thought it was too short. In reality, midway through it, I was just begging for it to end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Ko
  • 17-07-21

glad i read it but was dissapointed in the end

really enjoyed the premise but the end was very abrupt and unsatisfying. i guess thats just h.g wells writing style though

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable read

I lived the story of the time traveller. its a cautionary tale about meddling with technology and messing with things you dont yet understand. very cleverly done.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Leaves you wanting more.

I’ve always loved the book and films it has so much imagination. This audio book is very good but it can’t add any more detail to the story that was never there. I would love to time travel and glimpse the future and past. It is described very well. You get a good sense of what is happening and it’s a very chronological story. Enjoyed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This is a true classic..John banks I applaud you

John Banks brings this classic alive....listen and lose yourself in his voice which transports you into the wonderful world of HG Wells.

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fascinating

so well written, the suspense building slowly, the ending... what a fine piece of literature

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Amazing book

This book is exactly how I imagined our future. The future of all men kind. I really enjoyed it. It makes you wonder if we will ever have the chance to travel trough time and space... I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about our own perception of life and future. This is a good example. Enjoy

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