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The History of Mr. Polly Audiobook
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(3.04) - 412 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Based on H. G. Wells’s own life experience in the drapery trade, this comic novel presents our anti-hero, Alfred Polly, miserable, timid, and without direction, but with a gift for creating incomprehensible conversational “epithets” to express himself. No one quite understands what he has just said to them … Was it a compliment? An insult? Was it profound or absurd?
The novel opens by telling us, “He hated Foxbourne, he hated Foxbourne High Street, he hated his shop and his wife and his neighbours—every blessed neighbour—and with indescribable bitterness he hated himself.” The story unfolds from Mr. Polly’s early education, his courtship and marriage, to his eventual discovery of purpose in life.
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"A superb comedy by Wells, who is most famous for his science fiction. This tells the story of an everyman who realizes, after much trial and error, that the path most of us feel obligated to take in life, is not for everyone, and that often our biggest obstacle is our own expectations."
— Noah (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Mr. Polly is written with all of Mr. Wells’s customary facility and humor.”
— H. L. Mencken, The Smart Set, July 1910
The History of Mr. Polly Listener Reviews
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" Molto divertente la storia del signor Polly... Gli succede di tutto, e che mal di pancia, anzi, di digestione... "
— Francesco, 1/29/2014 -
" one of the nice soft humors i read in ages as this age doesn't know those sensibilities. "
— jefrey, 1/13/2014 -
" Really charming, almost Dickensian novel about a disgruntled shopkeeper who figures out how to change his life. Very entertaining. "
— Lauren, 12/17/2013 -
" The tale Alfred Polly, his life, unhappy marriage, fantasies, crime, and eventual escape... "
— Marts, 12/16/2013 -
" One way to describe this novel: a 19th-century depiction of a mid-life crisis. Can't say I enjoyed the novel very much. The first half was extremely slow and utterly unmemorable. The second half moved at a much quicker pace. The ending was nostalgic, but overall, not an exciting read. "
— Yoon-ho, 11/30/2013 -
" This is a great book. H.G. Wells shows he can write more than science fiction. I particularly liked one scene where there was a chase around a house that I think was a tribute to Mark Twain. "
— Steve, 10/21/2013 -
" I love this book, ive read it twice, and that doesn't happen often. "
— Brian, 10/15/2013 -
" Full of the most wonderful made up language, something I read HG Wells liked to do himself and something I am a big fan of. Mr Polly is a fabulous character you just can't help but like, a good yarn. "
— Bridget, 5/2/2013 -
" Finished this book on the train this morning it was truly fab. Not life changing or profound but a real entertaining read. I don't think i've enjoyed a book this much for about 18 months. "
— Shane, 1/8/2013 -
" maybe 3.7 so i will round up to the nearest whole number "
— Hannah, 11/16/2012 -
" Quite simply a beautiful little tale about a man who completely changes his life. One of Wells best works, quaint, funny, enthralling and exciting all at once. "
— Dave, 9/29/2012 -
" One of HG Well's finest - brilliant lead character and full of Well's increadible descriptions that with few words form such strong mental pictures. "
— Christopher, 9/20/2012 -
" this book is one of the finest books that you'll read from a master like H.G.Wells.filled with insights,this book is worth a read by everyone.though the four star is due to the fact that at some point,i felt the book to be boring. "
— Bartimaeus, 7/31/2012
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.
About Susan Iannucci
Susan Iannucci is a full-time narrator and voice-over actor working from California. She has been producing multi-cast productions for several years along with her own solo narrations. Pulling together multi-cast projects with actors throughout the world continues to be a great challenge and thoroughly rewarding.