The History Of Mr. Polly

by H. G. Wells (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

A comic masterpiece and one of H. G. Wells' most humane novels.

Alfred Polly is thirty-five, chronically dissatisfied, trapped in a failing shop, an unhappy marriage, and a life that seems to have narrowed into a dead end. The world appears to him a "beastly silly hole," and every day feels much like the last.

Then, in a moment of desperation, Mr. Polly decides to escape.

What follows is a richly comic, deeply sympathetic journey through Edwardian England as Polly abandons convention, reinvents himself, and discovers that happiness may lie not in success, but in freedom, friendship, and the courage to begin again.

Drawing on Wells's own experiences as a draper's apprentice, The History of Mr. Polly combines brilliant humor, unforgettable characters, and sharp social observation. Beneath its comedy lies a timeless story about second chances, personal reinvention, and the search for a life worth living.

This edition features a new introduction by Colin Heston and presents Wells's beloved 1910 classic for modern readers.

Perfect for readers of:

• Classic British fiction

• P.G. Wodehouse and Jerome K. Jerome

• Literary comedy

• Social satire

• Character-driven classics

• H.G. Wells beyond science fiction

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 165p.