The Time Machine
The Time Machine, published in 1895, was H. G. Wells's first novel and the book that fixed the idea of a machine for traveling through time. Its unnamed inventor describes to his dinner guests a journey to the year 802,701, where humanity has split into the gentle, idle Eloi who live above ground and the pale Morlocks who tend machines below and come up at night. His account of what the two species owe to each other is a bleak joke at the expense of Victorian class optimism, and the final leap to a dying Earth under a swollen red sun is one of the great passages of early science fiction. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Time Machine
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Time Machine online?
Yes. The Time Machine opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Time Machine free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Time Machine is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Time Machine in the public domain?
Yes. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Time Machine?
About 2 h 10 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Time Machine?
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
