Over a decade ago I ran across this sequel to the H. G. Wells classic in a used book store. Authored by the famed film producer who directed the classic 1960 film version of the same novel, it is now apparently rare out-of-stock item; now I wish I had kept the book. But as novels go, it was terribly disappointing. I didn't expect it to meet the standard of H. G. Wells, but after reading the sequel, I reread the original. I was amazed at how far short the sequel fell in every conceivable aspect -- writing, plot, characterization, wit. This book might be a curious piece of cinematographic/science fiction history, but it truly doesn't deserve to be called a sequel to The Time Machine.

I read this book recently and I really enjoyed it. It is more of a continuation from the original George Pal movie version of 'The Time Machine' than from the novel but it makes for a good read.

At the start, the time traveller George and his pregnant wife Weena from 802,701 AD travel back in time from that year with the intention of having their child born in 1900, the time period George left behind. The time machine unexpectedly stops in 1941 through a malfunction and both people get killed by bomb blasts. Their child is born and survives the war. The adult version of the new born baby arrives in a more modern version of the time machine and helplessly witnesses the death of his parents. He later sees the earlier versions of them in 802,701 AD with the hope of talking them out of returning to 1941. He then travels to a time period over a million years away from ours and helps the last lot of humans on earth to battle against giant mutant creatures in order to ensure their survival.

The story includes predictions of what might happen in our future such as very high pollution levels, taller buildings and rocket ships taking people to other worlds. Not only did I enjoy the story but I was also kind of saddened that a movie version of this sequel wasn't made. If another sequel was written and it was more of a continuation from the original movie, I would like it to include George's mission to save his best friend David Filby from being killed in World War I. I recommend 'Time Machine II' to anyone who has enjoyed the original movie version of 'The Time Machine', and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.