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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Incredible piece of science fiction. One of the best I've read, if not the best overall. Stories like this should be taught in school. I am wholeheartedly impressed.
The Machine Stops is a tiny little story, reaching only 12,300 words, but might just be the best thing I’ve read all year.
Written in 1909, the digitised future it describes feels so startlingly accurate that it could have been released this very year. At over 100 years old, I’m genuinely shocked at how well this novel describes the computer age, despite it being released decades before even the most basic of computers was invented. Saying that, not only does the world feel like a looming yet magnified version of the current one, the core point of it all applies now more than ever before too.
This is the perfect kind of short story, where, while there aren’t quite as many words here as in a full-length novel, every word put to paper is impactful. E.M. Forster knows how to write well, and having never read anything by Forster before, The Machine Stops made me want to dive into more of what he’s published.
Considering it doesn’t take long to get through, and leaves a lasting impression, this is something I’d recommend in an instant.
5/5
Written in 1909, the digitised future it describes feels so startlingly accurate that it could have been released this very year. At over 100 years old, I’m genuinely shocked at how well this novel describes the computer age, despite it being released decades before even the most basic of computers was invented. Saying that, not only does the world feel like a looming yet magnified version of the current one, the core point of it all applies now more than ever before too.
This is the perfect kind of short story, where, while there aren’t quite as many words here as in a full-length novel, every word put to paper is impactful. E.M. Forster knows how to write well, and having never read anything by Forster before, The Machine Stops made me want to dive into more of what he’s published.
Considering it doesn’t take long to get through, and leaves a lasting impression, this is something I’d recommend in an instant.
5/5
challenging
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It ist truly fascinating that this story was written in 1909 and essentially predicted the internet and chat programs like Skype or WhatsApp. People back then weren't even used to the telephone!
I would have loved to have more background information but well, this is what defines a short story.
I liked the ending although it was very gloomy but there could have been no other resolution, I think.
I would have loved to have more background information but well, this is what defines a short story.
I liked the ending although it was very gloomy but there could have been no other resolution, I think.
I read this one for the E.M. Forster read along I'm participating in for 2023. The February prompt was to read one of his short stories. once I'd started it, I was surprised to find that I had either tried this one before or, more likely, heard about the premise. A review or podcast about sci-fi perhaps? Who knows?
It is uncanny how well Forster nailed certain aspects of humanity's future in this science-fiction piece however. At points, it felt like he looked into the mists of time and predicted Facetime or Zoom calls, Alexa or other Smart devices regulating/running of living quarters. That said and those kudos given, I have to say that it isn't a new favorite in terms of a short story. Who know however, it might stick with me in the years to come or it may help to form a more complete picture of him as a writer as I continue to progress through his catalog.
It is uncanny how well Forster nailed certain aspects of humanity's future in this science-fiction piece however. At points, it felt like he looked into the mists of time and predicted Facetime or Zoom calls, Alexa or other Smart devices regulating/running of living quarters. That said and those kudos given, I have to say that it isn't a new favorite in terms of a short story. Who know however, it might stick with me in the years to come or it may help to form a more complete picture of him as a writer as I continue to progress through his catalog.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced