The Wheels of Chance A Bicycling Idy..., H. G. Wells
The Wheels of Chance A Bicycling Idy..., H. G. Wells
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
Club: $11.47

The Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling Idyll

Author: H. G. Wells

Narrator: John Burlinson

Unabridged: 8 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/13/2024

Synopsis

Mr. Hoopdriver is a frustrated draper’s assistant in Putney, London. He is badly paid, over-worked, and he needs a holiday. He also owns a bicycle—though he is an awkward rider. When his annual ten days’ holiday comes around, Mr. Hoopdriver sets out on a bicycling tour of the “Southern Coast.” Will this adventure be enough to shake up the dreariness of his ordinary life? Will his escapist flights of fancy end in disaster? And what should he make of the constant reappearance of the “Young Lady in Grey”?Wells wrote this story at the height of the bicycling craze and before the automobile. The bicycle gave freedom to the working class, weakened the English class structure and gave a boost to female emancipation. In his story he explores these changes.

About H. G. Wells

H. G. Wells (1866–1946), born in Bromley, Kent, England, is known as the father of science fiction. He was also a prolific writer in other genres, including contemporary novels, history, and social commentary.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Katie on October 06, 2021

Maybe 4.5. I really thoroughly enjoyed this. Funny but thought-provoking, with great characterisation and a sort of coming of age element, this was another H.G. Wells triumph for me.......more

Goodreads review by MJ on October 24, 2019

A tale of social uneasiness, a comedy of ill-manners, H.G. Wells’s fourth published novel is a long-forgotten little shiner, set in the Golden Age of the bicycling craze, sweeping Victorian England with the fervour of the late-nineties Furby. The insecure hero, a piddling draper with cringeing class......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on February 23, 2017

What an odd little story! Begin with one J. Hoopdriver, a draper's assistant who lives for nothing but spare opportunities to ride his bicycle -- or rather, to crash repeatedly on his bicycle, banging up his legs but still delighting in sheer momentum. Mr. Hoopdriver, at the novel's beginning, is fi......more

Goodreads review by J.J. on April 21, 2024

Me dijeron que esta novela (escrita al mismo tiempo que Wells desarrollaba viajes en el tiempo) iba a ser tan graciosa como Tres Hombres en una Barca. Y no.......more

Goodreads review by Thom on May 15, 2013

H. G. Wells is best known for his science fiction writings and their popularity has overshadowed his other works. Wheels of Chance is a romantic adventure that deserves more notoriety than it has. The hero of this tale is hardly the juggernaut of his dreams but when the beautiful lady in gray crosse......more

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List