44 pages • 1 hour read
The Time Machine
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
94
Novella • Fiction
London • 1890s
1895
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells tells the story of a Victorian inventor known as the Time Traveller who journeys 800,000 years into the future and discovers that humanity has evolved into two distinct species, the peaceful Eloi and the predatory, underground-dwelling Morlocks. The Eloi are farmed and eaten by the Morlocks, and the Time Traveller recounts his harrowing adventures and ultimate return to his own time to a group of skeptical dinner guests. Readers should be aware of some anachronistic racial and gender terms in the text.
Mysterious
Adventurous
Contemplative
Dark
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
531,680 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
H. G. Wells' The Time Machine has been widely praised for its imaginative and pioneering exploration of time travel, along with its insightful social commentary. Critics appreciate its compelling narrative and profound themes. However, some find its character development lacking and its scientific explanations dated. Overall, it remains a seminal work in science fiction.
Who Should Read The Time Machine?
Readers who cherish classic science fiction and philosophical exploration would enjoy H. G. Wells' The Time Machine. If you appreciate the speculative wonder of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the societal critiques in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, this timeless novella will captivate you.
531,680 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Weena
Weena
A gentle and child-like member of the Eloi, she is saved from drowning by the Time Traveller and forms a friendship with him.
The Narrator
The Narrator
One of the Time Traveller's salon guests, he is sympathetic to the idea of time travel and witnesses the Time Traveller's departure.
The Time Traveller’s Guests
The Time Traveller’s Guests
A group of individuals who attend the Time Traveller's weekly dinners, including various professionals and skeptics, who represent different perspectives on the possibility of time travel.
Eloi
Eloi
A future human race characterized by their diminutive stature, child-like nature, and a life dedicated to simple pleasures.
Morlocks
Morlocks
An underground race of future humans who maintain and exploit the Eloi, characterized by their apelike features and lack of respect from the Time Traveller.
Mrs. Watchett
Mrs. Watchett
The Time Traveller’s servant who briefly appears in his narrative, her presence is noted for her movement in relation to the time machine's operation.
94
Novella • Fiction
London • 1890s
1895
Adult
14+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.