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  • The Time Machine

  • Written by: H. G. Wells
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (134 ratings)

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The Time Machine

Written by: H. G. Wells
Narrated by: John Banks
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Publisher's 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a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year 802,701 AD, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment and peace.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

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Fin inattendue

Assez particulier pour un livre écrit au 19eme siècle. J'ai bien aimé lorsqu'il décrit son voyage dans le futur vers la fin, j'ai adoré me le représenter dans ma tête et la fin est surprenante. Un bon classique à découvrir.

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Loved it!

It could have used a few more references to creatures rushing "hither and thither"! No references to creatures going hither and yon! That left me most distressed.

1 person found this helpful

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Really good listen

Really
Engaging, great road trip book to put on. Would recommend. Also great narrator, 5/5

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Excellent

With a good performance, these classic science-fiction stories are unbeatable entertainment and leave the reader to consider the human condition and its possible future.

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Loved it!

Required reading for a university class. I really enjoyed the narration and the story. The music is also great.

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Written in 1895 - held up well

Clear dated attitudes from the time, but suprised how well it has held up. Glad I took a gamble on this novel.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2019-04-12

John Banks

If you want the full story, read by a master of verbal pronunciation, with the ability to pull you into the plot, this is the version for you!

14 people found this helpful

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  • Ashley Poff
  • 2017-05-15

Top 10

A wonderful book, in the same class as Gulliver’s Travels. It is one of the books I would like to take with me to Purgatory. - Sir Winston S. Churchill

8 people found this helpful

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  • Percival Barberena
  • 2020-07-15

Beautiful

This is a elegant story of which has a logical pattern to it. Although short, the story is full of relevant issues that can be discussed in this day and age.

5 people found this helpful

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  • Steven Shepard
  • 2019-11-15

Weake(r) reader, but he does very well.

The slow gradual suspense that carefully builds, it demands an instant climax, but instead, the inner thoughts of the traveler unravel how the human psyche might actually respond. The end doesn't leave you wondering 'what if?' but, 'what would I do?'.

5 people found this helpful

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  • Bob
  • 2020-02-10

It's a classic for a reason.

While some concepts are dated, it is well written and descriptive beyond most books today. Wells paints a story in your mind better than most authors today have a capacity to do. The narrator kept did well with the emotion and inflections. Very enjoyable listen.

3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • David Campos
  • 2020-06-14

The year this book was written

The Time Machine is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895 and written as a frame narrative. The work is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel by using a vehicle or device to travel purposely and selectively forward or backward through time.

2 people found this helpful

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  • Rachel
  • 2019-08-21

great listen

He really kept up the energy, and told the story very interactively. cant belive how much the movie destroyed this stort

2 people found this helpful

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  • Lynda
  • 2022-04-04

Great Narrator

It was kinda hard getting what was going on but once I realized it the story made more sence.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Khans
  • 2019-05-30

Very fun

A great story to listen to, still as much fun as I remember it being as a kid

1 person found this helpful

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  • lil_delfin
  • 2023-05-30

Classic

This book is a classic and was on my read list. I'm a huge Sci-Fi Fantasy person. I enjoyed the voice actor, but I couldn't get into the story. I finished it. It provoked some questions. Overall it was okay, just not my cup of tea.