10 audiobooks for fans of The Time Machine
- 1
Great Classic Science Fiction
Great Classic Stories (BBC Audio)
by H.G. Wells, James H. Schmitz, Stanley G. Weinbaum, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Fritz Leiber, Andre Norton
Narrated by Simon Vance, Barbara Rosenblat, Nick Sullivan, Robert Fass, Katherine Kellgren, Scott Brick, Stephen Thorne, Greg Itzin
Why this book?
This anthology expands on the visionary sci-fi foundations Wells established in The Time Machine, offering a broader exploration of time, technology, and human nature across stories by genre-defining masters. The diverse ensemble of narrators brings fresh interpretive energy to classic concepts of temporal and speculative wonder, making it an ideal companion collection for listeners drawn to Wells's imaginative scope.
★ 3.65 ABR Score (1.1K ratings)★ 3.42 Goodreads (522) ★ 4.23 Audible (566)More about this pick
H.G. Wells, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert and others in classic sci-fi anthology spanning decades. Eight different narrators including Simon Vance and Scott Brick handle the varied styles.
- 2
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds • Book 1
by H.G. Wells
Narrated by Simon Vance
Why this book?
The War of the Worlds delivers the same imaginative speculative vision and social commentary that defines Wells's work, exploring humanity's place in a vast, indifferent universe through gripping narrative tension. Steven Crossley's measured, immersive narration sustains the epic scope across its extended runtime, deepening the sense of existential dread that makes Wells's science fiction enduringly powerful.
★ 4.05 ABR Score (356.5K ratings)★ 3.83 Goodreads (352.7K) ★ 4.38 Audible (3.8K)More about this pick
Wells chronicles humanity's near-extinction at Martian tentacles with scientific precision, as Steven Crossley captures both wonder and dread at our cosmic insignificance.
- 3
The Island of Dr. Moreau
by H.G. Wells, Alan Lightman
Narrated by Simon Prebble
Why this book?
Both works showcase Wells's mastery of speculative fiction, exploring the dark consequences of scientific ambition through richly atmospheric narratives that unfold with mounting dread. Simon Prebble's narration captures the same sense of existential unease present in Munro's delivery, making this a natural progression for listeners drawn to Wells's philosophical approach to science fiction.
★ 3.83 ABR Score (138.3K ratings)★ 3.73 Goodreads (136.5K) ★ 4.2 Audible (1.9K)More about this pick
Shipwrecked Prendick discovers a mad scientist creating human-animal hybrids on a remote island. Prebble's measured delivery amplifies Wells' gothic horror while exploring the thin line between civilization and savagery.
- 4
The Invisible Man by Wells, H. G. (Author) Sep-01-10
by H.G. Wells
Narrated by James Adams
★ 3.71 ABR Score (222.9K ratings)★ 3.63 Goodreads (219.4K) ★ 4.06 Audible (3.5K)More about this pick
A scientist discovers invisibility but can't reverse it, leading to isolation, madness, and violence in Victorian England. The psychological horror of complete social disconnection unfolds with chilling inevitability.
- 5
Ender's Shadow
Ender's Shadow • Book 1
Narrated by Scott Brick, Gabrielle de Cuir, full cast
Why this book?
Both explore how intelligence and strategy shape humanity's future in high-stakes scenarios, though Ender's Shadow expands the philosophical depth with a full-cast immersive experience that transforms the intimate introspection of Wells's novella into a richly layered audiobook. The extended runtime allows Card to develop the moral complexity that Wells only hints at—making this an ideal next step for listeners seeking weightier science fiction with greater narrative scope.
★ 4.59 ABR Score (194.4K ratings)★ 4.32 Goodreads (180.6K) ★ 4.76 Audible (13.8K)More about this pick
Bean's parallel journey through Battle School gets full-cast treatment, with Scott Brick and Gabrielle de Cuir leading voices that capture both his genius and vulnerability.
- 6
H.G. Wells Seven Novels, Complete & Unabridged The Time Machine, Island of Dr. Moreau, Invisible Man, First Men In The Moon, Food of the Gods, In the Days of the Comet and War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells
Narrated by Gregory Dwyer
★ 3.92 ABR Score (2.9K ratings)★ 4.14 Goodreads (2.9K)More about this pick
Wells' complete science fiction masterworks from time travel to alien invasion, all collected in one comprehensive package spanning his greatest speculative achievements.
- 7
A Modern Utopia - Illustrated
by H.G. Wells
Narrated by Bryan Godwin
★ 3.47 ABR Score (1.1K ratings)★ 3.35 Goodreads (1.1K) ★ 2 Audible (1)More about this pick
Wells constructs his vision of an ideal society through a complex narrative that jumps between philosophical theory and practical implementation. Bryan Godwin's narration helps navigate the dense theoretical discussions while maintaining engagement with Wells's ambitious ideas.
- 8
The Sleeper Awakes - H
by H.G. Wells
Narrated by James Gillies
★ 3.19 ABR Score (5.7K ratings)★ 3.35 Goodreads (5.7K)More about this pick
Wells' dystopian vision follows an Englishman who sleeps for two centuries and awakens to find himself incredibly wealthy in an unrecognizable, nightmarish society that represents everything wrong with unchecked progress.
- 9
Dune
Dune • Book 1
Narrated by Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, Simon Vance, Ilyana Kadushin, Byron Jennings, David R. Gordon, Jason Culp, Kent Broadhurst, Oliver Wyman, Patricia Kilgarriff, Scott Sowers
★ 4.66 ABR Score (1.8M ratings)★ 4.29 Goodreads (1.6M) ★ 4.67 Audible (126.5K)More about this pick
Paul Atreides' transformation from noble heir to messianic leader on the spice planet Arrakis unfolds through multiple skilled voices that capture each character's distinct perspective.
- 10
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park • Book 1
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.60 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)★ 4.13 Goodreads (1.1M) ★ 4.76 Audible (46.8K)More about this pick
Scientists clone dinosaurs using ancient DNA, creating the ultimate theme park until the prehistoric predators escape and hunt their creators through tropical nightmares.
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How We Rank Audiobooks
Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.
Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.
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