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How exactly steampunk is it,I'm not the foremost expert on those things? Also,any favorite best movie versions? Really having read the book I'm pretty sure none of them match the story precisely,not as much as I would prefer at least.

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Nobody...too busy with the YA chats eh?

Maybe not,one more chance since I posted this a little late last night...

Steampunk is a recent movement based on a fantasy version of Victorian times. The Time Machine isn't steampunk, it was just set in what was then the present day.

In any case it quickly leaves the then-present-day behind for the distant future, so any 'steampunk' trappings are left behind.

I'm not sure if the time machine can be considered steampunk, because steampunk is relatively new genre, but here are my thoughts.

My understanding of Steampunk is that it is an alternative reality set in Victorian times/future that usually involves the use of futuristic machines that are of victorian/steam technology.

It can probably be said that authors such as H G Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley and a good many others are the Grandparents of the genre, with steampunk being heavilly modelled on the world and technology described in their literature.

So perhaps this makes them part of the genre by default, they have defined this sub genre of science fiction/fantasy in their own work which is the foundation of this new world genre.

It is an interesting question you have posted Beth, I am looking forward to hearing other people's view.

Well,the thing is I figured as much but didn't want to seem the expert on the subject. Some people have stipulated that since it has that whole Victorian/modern technology feel it could be considered steampunk but I know that is actually a quite small part of the story.

Any thoughts on fav movie version or if there is a true comparison?

Slightly off topic I have also wondered,do I fail at steampunk because I find The difference engine boring but actually quite like the movie version of Jonah Hex? I know the original intention of the story is a strict western and not at all like the movie...

I would have to do some research because I did enjoy the two versions that I have seen I just don't know what years they were released in. The one had a very modern style to it so I assume that it was the 2000's one. I happened to enjoy the older one more. It was in color if that narrows anything down but as I said I would have to look up the various versions online to be more specific. It has been so long since I have read the book that I do feel it would be worth reading again.

Well all the ones I know are in color,are there some from the fifties I have not heard of yet? Side note our group still needs members if you're looking!

edit...gave me an excuse to check imdb.com...there's just a couple before 1960 and the one from 1949 was technically a tv movie. I think there are two from the year 2000 to now that are familiar to most people.

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Umm...thanks for sharing..totally off topic though. Make your own thread and please don't spam. Anyone else have any Time machine related thoughts?

Also it's w a s t e...I do care. Though certainly some people's waistline could have something to do with your problem...not sure. Anyways time machine as I was saying...

Well I'm sorry I um spelt um waste um wrong um bye.

Goodbye!

Seriously...poor kid though...I have a trigger reaction to spam. I thought she was a hacker from Indonesia or something. They are notorious for bad spelling,I don't know how people fall for those mails.

Well,I think interest is low anyways...but anyone who wants to continue on topic can of course feel free!

I found the book was very well written and had a similar style and tone in places (due to the diary format) of Bran Stokers Dracular. I thought Wells wrote better and with a stronger voice and narrative prose than Stoker.
I enjoyed how "English" it was, how stupid people were in it, and how Wells was redefining the idea of "hero" in his work. It was definatley more about brains than brawn, and more about survival that "winning". I did prefer this book to the Invisble Man by a large margin.

I don't get the "steam punk" genre, so I guess I'm not much help here. I just saw a topic discussing this book and wanted to dive-in as it seems that so-few people are talking about such a great book.

I loved the subtle humor and beautiful writing. Though, I would disagree with the statement that the people in it were "stupid", I didn't get the vibe. I'm just starting The Invisible Man this week, hopefully it is not terrible. It's hard for me to imagine Wells writing a terrible novel.. ;)

That's one I should read as well one day,I've only seen the movie and I have an off/on movie book comparison kick. If I ever get through The Mysterious Island perhaps. It's not dreadfully long technically but it is very technical reading at times so therefore occasionally tedious.

As to the Time Machine particularly,I guess that depends on what you mean. I do quite enjoy very Britishy books as well, but that could apply to any number of Victorian novels.

I find the first and last chapters to be the most interesting from a literary point of view. I really believe that the time-traveler appears in one other HG Wells book; Time of the Comet. Was he trying to start a series? Who is the young man, (the one telling the story)?

Now its been a bit of time since I read it but wasn't it one of his colleagues telling the tale the time traveler gathered them together to explain?

I finished The Time Machine and am almost finished with The War of the Worlds. I am finding that I don't love Wells' writing as much as I hoped I would. Don't get me wrong, I know that he is a literary god and one of the "father's of science fiction," but I'm finding that I just don't get in to his books. It's hard to explain really. Other science fiction I've read by Heinlein, Dick, Vonnegut, Huxley, etc. has been engrossing...I've felt wrapped up in their writing. Wells just doesn't do it for me.

As far as movies go, I thought that the Guy Pearce version did a fairly decent job of telling the story without making many drastic changes from the book. Although they added a love story aspect as the reason the Time Traveler travels through time, it was forgivable.

I still rate the original Time Machine film. When I was a teenager, a few moons ago now..., I found the simplistic way of showing time travel very clever and it opened many new doors for my sci-fi interests.

Ah I missed a couple...so one more thing.

Book Spoilers....in case you're under a sci-fi rock...



Technically...and I may be reading into it a bit here he does time travel for love. That is to say the book kind of implies he is no longer in his time because he went to go save/stay with the girl he met in the extreme future.
Do I remember that correctly or is it a bit of a stretch?

It's been a while since I have read the book, but I believe that he stays because of his fascination of the Eloi culture.

The majority of H.G. Wells' books that I have read do not have love stories, because he is trying to write an analogy type story of his time and observations of the day. The time machine was about the differences in Social Class structure. That if humans kept going the way they were, that the rich would loose it's humanity and become more child like, while the working class would loose it's humanity and become more aggressive ape like.

These kinds of stories, especially Wells', are what got me hooked on Sci-Fi to begin with, and is one reason why I don't much care for Verne (who is too science fact based for me).

I love H.G.Wells.

I find it fascinating to read stories like the Time Machine in a day and age where the author's wildest dreams have not only been met but have been exceeded, technologically.

H.G. Wells is not an "in your face" type of writer like Heinlein or others mentioned. It's slower paced, more character development is included, and he likes to bring the reader around to his way of thinking in a persuasive manner rather than a shocking way. And he's sneaky! He hides his social commentary in martian invasions and time travel and suddenly you realize you are seeing your future as a society if we don't get ourselves under control.

The summary that Norman gives about Time Machine echoes my thoughts, as well. Simple messages wrapped in technological adventures.

Sneaky!

A note on steam punk: Wild, Wild West has a really fun steam punk feel to it as does John Carter. Just think of Victorian/1800s technology used to create things never created and you're steam-punking. I would maybe throw in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Van Helsing, 20,000 Leagues, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Brothers Grimm, and Ichabod Crane's investigative gear in Sleepy Hollow.

Time Machine fits the "feel" of it, and technically is steampunk since nobody in those days created devices like he does.

Sorry for the long post!

I thought I wasn't a steam punk fan, but I guess it's because I didn't really know what it was. If the Time Machine is steam punk (and Van Helsing, the Leagues and Sleepy Hollow) then I guess I'm a fan. Thanks Jeni for the lesson.

I loved Sky Captain,i thought i was in the minority though and it didn't do too well. Wild Wild West is one of those movies I thought was as equally unloved as Jonah Hex for the same reasons...but if they both count as steampunk i may not fail at steampunk afterall!

Back to Time Machine,I do get the social aspects of his stories,it just seemed there was some implication of some thought and care for the girl following him,if it was more of a calculated intrigue.

Beth A. wrote: "Back to Time Machine,I do get the social aspects of his stories,it just seemed there was some implication of some thought and care for the girl following him,if it was more of a calculated intrigue."

If you mean the future girl, I think he loved what she represented, more than anything. Peace and prosperity for everyone. He came from a time where there was discord, hunger, pain, hurt, and a huge social caste system.

Having a world where people were all equally fed, clothed, housed, and cared for appealed to him. Um..sans Morlocks, of course. :)

H.G. Wells was a Socialist and pacifist and these leanings come through his works often.

You're probably right,though that's much the experience for many people for a time. They love the idea of a person and think later they have feelings for them. Then again,he still could have had a completely platonic interest in the society at large. It's just that reminds me of phases people go through.

In 1973 my then girl friend had to do a book report on The Time Machine and she was really struggling with it so I helped, I read it to her. I had never read H.G.wells before and I really enjoyed it ( I got more out of it than she did she recieved a C-) I enjoyed the story line, how he saw the future,and even the Morlocks.I have both movies and each is good in it's own way but the first is still my favorite. After reading the above post, I feel that I may have missed something. I didn't get any of the social aspects others seem to have gotten, I just enjoyed it. I think I shall be reading it again soon.

(I put it on my steampunk shelf, but it doesnt really belong there, I know.)

Okay, so I liked this book too much...it's like the true father of sci-fi no matter what anyone says.
Thank H.G. Wells for all the beautiful sci-fi in today's literature and entertainment.

I heard a fantastic definition for steampunk (and I believe this really does qualify):

"Advanced technology with a lower power source."

I'm sorry to disagree, but I think it's ludicrous to call H.G. Wells steampunk. The term steampunk originated in the 80s and 90s, Wells died in 1946. That's reason number one. Reason number two is that he's one of the fathers of science fiction; not steampunk.

I wasn't saying he wrote specifically to be steampunk, but that the term "steampunk" can be used to accurately define the machines in his writing--not his style, just the machinery. Of course he's one of the fathers of science fiction!

Since most examples given by steampunk "experts" include Wells, Burroughs, and other writers who were gone before the 80s, I thought it was pretty safe to say they are good examples of the whole fascination of low-energy, advanced machinery.

I have no idea what a steampunk is, I am guessing it would be a book like League of Extrodinary Gentleman or John Carter? But I loved the time machine, I found it interesting and beautifully written. I was a little werided out but the Eloi people, just of their description. But poor Weena! I can't believe he actually stayed behind! But I guess its better to live in a world that has been virtually unexplored by humans, than stay in a world where people do not believe in the possibilty of time travel.

I love all these thoughts it very intriguing to see this kinda die off and come back now and again. I am not the foremost expert at all on steampunk but its been good to hear all your opinions.

For the record,if you want...at least to my knowledge...a book that is technically more like recognized steampunk is called The Difference Engine.

I found it rather dull and never finished sad to say.

A lot of people love it though. In general I just want know how far you can stretch the definition while still remaining respectable. Plus I was in the mood for scifi talk.

I think the book is a political master-piece than a science fiction. Except travelling through time, no other parts of the book involved Science Fiction writing.

Jeni wrote: "Having a world where people were all equally fed, clothed, housed, and cared for appealed to him. Um..sans Morlocks, of course. :)"

Hah. Don't rush. Morlock are what the oppressed (workers, lower class) evoluted into. And when you say
"people were all equally fed, clothed, housed, and cared for" you think of Eloi people, who are the offspring of wealthy, higher classes. They live in wealth, but Wells made a twist here - yes, their life is nice, they get everything on silver plate, but in the end, Morlocks will eat them. In the end, Eloi are just cattle.

So, what Wells did is a twist on our society. The workers, the oppressed, the Morlocks - in the future they still live underground and they work (Eloi don't work), but the higher classes are being used for one and only thing they are actually usefull - meat for Morlocks.

Cool thing to think about, isn't it?

A little demented but yes....; )