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thequeercaseofmarius's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I get chills every time I read this; Forster’s foresight into the internet age is uncomfortably eerie and marvellously constructed.
I first read The Machine Stops during COVID-19; and it’s story of isolation and machine domination hit me like a tsunami. This novella was written in 1909, 114 years ago to be precise, and it predicted things such as Skype, the internet, and even Y2K. And yet this isn’t a story about marvellous gadgets and future technologies, it’s a story about us, the people, and how said technology can change the very bones of what it means to be human.
The Machine Stops made me think as someone now living in the machine age; how can I still foster my growth as a human being? And perhaps it is making sure to stay connected to the natural world. No human advancement is great if it leaves our planet and humanity behind.
This is one of the greatest science-fiction stories ever written, and my favourite novella too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide
This novella is very depressing.janewa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Suicide and Pregnancy
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