777 reviews for:

The Machine Stops

E.M. Forster

4.01 AVERAGE

takeflightinreading's review against another edition

4.0

reflective

eggzystencja's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark reflective

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

charlotte_owl's review against another edition

5.0

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I really enjoyed reading this novella by E.M. Forster. The fact that he wrote it 100 years ago is astounding. It is one of those books that really makes you think. Will humans improve technology to the point that we lose our humanity? We are not there yet. Still, as this book shows, it is a future that one can imagine.

alavallee2754's review against another edition

5.0

dark informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

moonini's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

kay_river's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad

nabend23's review against another edition

4.75

inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

hawkinsweeks's review against another edition

5.0

dark informative reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A re-read after many years for me and just as relevant now as it was when it was written. The over-dependency on technology and machines have infantilised the characters so much that they are frightened of the world and open to cynical manipulation. Their insular lives created by the dependency also have a large resonance with today, especially with our social media and the increasing ignorance, complacency and gullibility of many western nation populations.

A highly recommended short read.

mrs_b_reading's review against another edition

4.0

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Although the story was quite simple and easy to digest, it was the underlying themes and ideas behind the story that really captured my interest. I thought the whole book seemed tragically amusing and it had an incredible sense of isolation. The criticism of the human reliance on technology seems just as current over one hundred years since it’s publication.

queenofsundays's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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Die Tatsache, dass das 1909 veröffentlicht wurde, fuckt mich grade etwas ab.