The Man Who Loved Morlocks

Science Fiction Speculative Fiction Australian Literature Adventure Fantasy Classic Literature Wellsian Pastiche

First-edition hardcover of David J. Lake’s 1981 sequel to H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine, the scarce 128-page Australian press volume that turns Wells’ classic on its head by making the subterranean Morlocks the objects of fascination rather than fear. Out-of-print for four decades, this vintage Hyland House release is the cornerstone title for any serious collector of Wellsian pastiches or Australian small-press science-fiction.

Lake’s novella-length adventure follows a 20th-century anthropologist who returns to the far-future world of 802,701 and discovers that the “monstrous” Morlocks are a cultured, technologically advanced society. Blending speculative anthropology, ecological warning and old-fashioned quest narrative, the story delivers a fast, thought-provoking read that appeals to adults and YA readers alike—perfect for book-club discussion or classroom comparison with the original Time Machine.

Physical appeal: clean, bright pages in an unmarked first-issue binding; the original pictorial dust jacket survives with only light edge wear and two tiny spine-base tears—handsome shelf presence for a book rarely found in any condition. At just 355 g and 230 mm tall it slips easily into a collector’s row or travels well for convention signings. Keywords collectors search—The Man Who Loved Morlocks first edition, David J. Lake hardcover, 1981 Australian science fiction, H. G. Wells sequel—all point straight to this copy, making it a smart, search-visible investment for antiquarian SF fans.

Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.

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