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  • The Time Machine

  • Penguin English Library
  • By: H. G. Wells
  • Narrated by: Brian Cox
  • Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (173 ratings)

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The Time Machine

By: H. G. Wells
Narrated by: Brian Cox
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Summary

Penguin Classics presents H. G. Wells' The Time Machine, adapted for audio and now available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by the actor Brian Cox. 'Great shapes like big machines rose out of the dimness, and cast grotesque black shadows, in which dim spectral Morlocks sheltered from the glare'. Chilling, prophetic and hugely influential, The Time Machine sees a Victorian scientist propel himself into the year 802,701 AD, where he is delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty and contentment in the form of the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man. But he soon realises that they are simply remnants of a once-great culture - now weak and living in terror of the sinister Morlocks lurking in the deep tunnels, who threaten his very return home. H. G. Wells defined much of modern science fiction with this 1895 tale of time travel, which questions humanity, society, and our place on Earth.

Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.

Public Domain (P)2012 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about The Time Machine

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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simply brilliant.

Brian Cox reads with such descriptive emotion. it is a well narrated incarnation of one of Wells' greatest works of fiction

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great stuff

Although this is listed as abridged its actually a wee bit longer than another which is listed as unabridged. Great classic story read fantastically by Brian Cox (amazing actor one, not oooh arent stars great one)

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3 people found this helpful

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Riveting

A fantastic story of classic science fiction, brilliantly read and gripping, if you like H.P Lovecraft then you are in for a treat with this

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Eloi are a warning to the west! Take heed.

Wells was a visionary! If you can't draw parallels between the Eloi and modern society, perhaps you've become one already.

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A classic wonderfully told

Brian Cox is an excellent narrator for this timeless classic of the genre. Highly recommended.

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

Well read classic.

A classic story and well read.
I have always felt the story falls flat as it progresses, but it's a wonderful and intelligent story of it's age.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

This book is all together brilliant! I can scarcely find flaw apart from my wanting more of it and a small flickering that happened during this particular reading.

This marvelous classic is worth more than its salt and delves Futher into interesting future theory than I would have ever guessed it to. With brilliant ideals that even today seem totally unexplored and fascinating.

It's a must read. But unlike me make sure you give yourself sufficient time to finish I missed tea as I simply didn't want to stop until I heard the end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very smart

Better than both the films by a long shot. I love time travel and this story showed me a new light on it. Makes you think.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it - performance was top drawer

Classic. Really enjoyed it. The film is ok but really does the book a disservice.

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