The History of Mr

by H.G. Wells

Originally The History of Mr Polly

Well's brilliant social novel, ranked #39 on The Guardian's list of 100 Best Novels Mr Polly is an ordinary middle-aged man who is tired of his wife's nagging and his dreary job as the owner of a regional gentleman's outfitters. Faced with the threat of bankruptcy, he concludes that the only way to escape his frustrating existence is by burning his shop to the ground, and killing himself. Unexpected events, however, conspire at the last moment to lead the bewildered Mr Polly to a bright new futu