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Title: The Space Machine

Author: Christopher Priest

Narrator: Barnaby Edwards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-09-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1893, and the workaday life of a young commercial traveller is enlivened by his lady friend when she takes him to the laboratory of Sir William Reynolds, who is building a Time Machine. It is but a small step into futurity, the beginning of a series of adventures that culminate in a violent confrontation with the most ruthless intellect in the Universe.

Members Reviews:

Time Machine meets WotW with a hint of Dalek

Any additional comments?

A very entertaining melding of HG Wells' War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. Is this the "true story" of what actually happened? I guess we may never know.

Told in a slightly quirky Victorian style in keeping with its late 19th/early 20th century setting, it does take a little time to get going, but if you're fans of the original works, you'll find this a charming "alternate history".

The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Barnaby Edwards, well known in Dr Who circles both as the actor inside the daleks and as a writer/director for the Big Finish audio range.

Terrific ripping yarn

This is an entertaining story with a plucky young hero who's idea of grooming is twirling his moustache and wearing a jaunty straw boater. He is such a gentleman that he tramps around the desolate Martian landscape while stubbornly holding onto the missing heroine's handbag. The monsters are sufficiently horrible to hold your attention to the end and the heroine is amusingly far brighter than her male companions.

I would have given this five stars but I did think there were gaps in the story that I would have liked to have been developed to give a more satisfactory conclusion. Saying that, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience with first rate narration and I would like to read more books from this author.

Fascinating mixture of SF and love story.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Space Machine to be better than the print version?

I've never read the print version of this book so I can't be impartial but considering my great love for listening the audio edition is more enjoyable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's definitely Edward Turnbull. He's such an honourable man, a true gentleman. He's so generous and kind, trustworthy, valorous and chivalrous. His approach to Amelia was so touching and charming... I couldn't help imagining myself in her shoes while listening - so adorable his concern about her was.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I really fancied all the romantic moments. I also enjoyed Edward's speech in front of the Martians and the scene of meeting *spoilers* H.G.Wells (loved the way how this book bound the storylines of The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine into one reality and explained where did H.G.Wells get his plots from, in spite of the fact that I prefer another version of explanation - involving the Sixth Doctor).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was a scene in one of the first chapters, when Edward and Amelia were cuddling together to keep warm.