by H. G. Wells
First published 1895
A Victorian scientist activates his time machine and hurtles forward to the year 802,701 AD. He emerges into what seems like paradise, populated by the Eloi, delicate beings who live in contentment without suffering or strife. The scientist feels enchanted by their peaceful existence until he realizes these beautiful creatures are merely shadows of humanity's former greatness. The Eloi live in terror of darkness, and their fear proves justified. Below ground, in a network of tunnels, dwell the Morlocks, another branch of evolved humanity with sinister intentions. When the scientist's time machine disappears, he faces a terrible choice. To return to his own time, he must venture into the underground world of the Morlocks and confront the dark truth about this future civilization. His initial delight transforms into a desperate struggle for survival as he discovers he has created the most hopeless trap any man could devise.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: dark-truth, fish-out-of-water
Period: 802,701 AD
104 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books