The Time Ships

[Tim]

BOOK: The Time Ships
AUTHOR: Stephen Baxter
Year of publication: 1995

This sequel to The Time Machine was actually approved by the estate of H.G. Wells, so this is an official continuation of that story.

As stated above the Time Traveller tries to go back into the future, to save Weena, however, he finds that the future is very different. The Morlocks, instead of being cannibalistic beasts, are intelligent, and have created a huge Dyson Sphere around the Sun. It seems that the Time Traveller's account of the future has altered it. Or rather he has travelled into another version of the future altogether.

Things get even more complicated when the Time Traveller and Nebogipfel, a Morlock he had befriended in the future, return to his present. Soon they are caught up in a time line where the First World War has lasted for twenty-four years. Looks like the Time Traveller is not the only one to have a time machine now.

Finally, they end up in the prehistoric past, where they help start human civilization countless eons before it was supposed to start.

This adventure is so timey-whimey it would give the Doctor a headache, but it's a fun read all the same.

Recommended.

[nimue]

I've never read the book but enjoy the story quite a bit! I remember seeing a movie adaptation from the 60's when I was little, and being terrified by the Morlocks! (I was eight or nine). The 2002 film version is also very good (I think a descendent of H.G Wells was involved with it??)

[Tim]

Just reread The Time Ships again.

Yeah, you got to wrap your brains around a few of the concepts, but, if you can do that, it's a good read.