The History Of Mr. Polly, H. G. Wells
The History Of Mr. Polly, H. G. Wells
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The History Of Mr. Polly

Author: H. G. Wells

Narrator: Geoffrey Giuliano, The Ark

Unabridged: 9 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/06/2023

Synopsis

Mr. Polly, also known as Alfred Polly, is a fictional character created by the renowned English writer H.G. Wells in his 1910 novel "The History of Mr. Polly." The novel follows the life of Mr. Polly, an ordinary and discontented middle-aged man living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mr. Polly is a relatable figure who embodies the struggles and frustrations of the average person in the face of societal expectations and personal dissatisfaction.
Set against the backdrop of the Edwardian era, "The History of Mr. Polly" offers a profound exploration of the human condition. Mr. Polly's life is characterized by a series of disappointments, failed ventures, and a general sense of aimlessness. Frustrated with his monotonous existence and a loveless marriage, he reaches a breaking point, deciding to escape the confines of his mundane life and pursue a different path.
Wells paints a vivid portrait of Mr. Polly's journey of self-discovery and reinvention. The narrative takes readers through a range of emotions, from the bleakness of Mr. Polly's initial struggles to the optimism and hope that emerges as he embarks on a new adventure. Ultimately, "The History of Mr. Polly" serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the universal human desire for freedom, happiness, and the pursuit of a meaningful existence in an ever-changing world.

About H. G. Wells

Herbert George Wells, better known as H. G. Wells, was a novelist, journalist, sociologist, and historian who wrote over 100 books. His novels are among the classic works of science fiction. His works, which go beyond ordinary adventure stories, are thought-provoking, forcing the reader to examine the future of mankind.

Wells was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1866. His father was a shopkeeper and a professional cricketer until he broke his leg. Wells studied biology at the Normal School of Science in London and later taught in several private schools. In 1893, he became a full-time writer. He married one of his brightest students, Amy Catherine, in 1895.

Wells earned his reputation with a string of science fiction novels, including The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The Invisible Man. In 1938, his realistic portrayal of a martian invasion in The War of the Worlds caused a panic across the United States when it was performed as a radio broadcast by actor Orson Wells. His science fiction stories have since become some of the most filmed works of all time.

Between the two world wars, Wells lived mainly in France. Beyond his literary career, he was the president of an international peace organization (PEN) from 1934 to 1946. In this capacity, he had discussions with both Stalin and Roosevelt, trying to recruit them to his world-saving schemes. However, he later became disillusioned with the cause of peace when global war broke out for the second time in a generation. Throughout the Second World War, Wells lived in his house on Regent's Park, refusing to let the blitz drive him out of London. He died there on August 13, 1946.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Majenta on July 14, 2016

Welcome to Alfred Polly's mid-existence crisis. That's where we meet him, then we backtrack from his infancy through his life up to what might just be a fresh-starting point... "...filled him with a vague and mystical happiness that he had no words, even mispronounceable words, to express." (location......more

Goodreads review by MJ on April 23, 2013

Everyone at some point in their lives will suddenly realise in their naive exuberance they made a colossal mistake that now has its python-like grip around their cowardly little necks, and that the only solution is to burn the shop and down and become a country hobo. Or maybe only the first part of......more

Goodreads review by Nigeyb on March 16, 2022

The History of Mr. Polly (1910) is a wonderful little novel H.G. Wells (1866-1946) is now most remembered as a pioneer of science fiction (e.g. The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1897)) however in his Edwardian era heyday he......more

Goodreads review by Katie on August 09, 2021

Perhaps 3.5. I really enjoyed this one, though not quite as much as Kipps or Love and Mr Lewisham. It was a slightly odd and very interesting read, with very interesting themes and a strong ending.......more

Goodreads review by Irena on August 04, 2022

As a teenager, I read all H.G. Wells's classic SF novels and plenty of his SF stories. I don't remember being impressed by the writing itself, but it was ages ago and back then I was primarily interested in the plot. I knew that he also wrote lots of non-fiction (on history, social issues etc.), but......more

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