The Time Machine

This marks my first entry into what I hope will be a much anticipated weekly look into the bleak and desolate world of Apocalyptic Fiction. Just because its bleak however, does not mean that it can't be fun, and as H.G. Wells', "The Time Machine", has shown me, just because it's fun doesn't mean it can't also carry a weighty message.
H.G. Wells' novella is about much more than time travel, in fact, the central message of the story could be told without the protagonist ever leaving the familiarity of the 19th Century. At its heart, "The Time Machine", is about the Victorian age that Wells' was living in and how the division between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat will eventually cause mankind to wither and die. In short, Wells is calling for compassion and love to win out over greed and the human need to have power over others.                                                                                                                                                          I found Wells' story to be a short and pleasant read that refused to beat around the bush and wasted no time in getting things moving. I was quite amused by Wells' portrayal of the bourgeoisie as being useless little fructivorous squirts that are treated like cattle by the chthonic Morlocks who make the Eloi's life so easy and carefree. I found their symbiotic relationship to be of particular interest because it was the last twisted remnant of balance left to humanity: that one should tend to the others needs and make them complacent just so they can be picked off and consumed all the easier.
"The Time Machine", is a good book, not a great book. The themes it covers are pretty heavy handed, but Wells can be forgiven in light of the books groundbreaking status. He certainly has a knack for pop fiction and this little story is no exception. If you haven't read it, I recommend it as it is a page turner.