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Heaven: September Book Group - The History of Mr. Polly
The September Group is now officially open. The History of Mr Polly has been called Wells' best novel, and The Guardian made it No. 39 on their list of 100 Best Novels a few years ago, so it should be an enjoyable read.
The are innumerable editions in both hard- and soft-cover, and it's also available as an e-book; if you're feeling hard-up after an expensive summer, then do as I did and source a copy from your local library, charity shop or second-hand bookshop.
It's not a long book, so perhaps we can start discussions around the 18th, if that sounds plausible; but that too is open for discussion.
Enjoy!
The are innumerable editions in both hard- and soft-cover, and it's also available as an e-book; if you're feeling hard-up after an expensive summer, then do as I did and source a copy from your local library, charity shop or second-hand bookshop.
It's not a long book, so perhaps we can start discussions around the 18th, if that sounds plausible; but that too is open for discussion.
Enjoy!
Comments
A couple of years ago, I was in an online open course about historical science fiction where we read HG Wells' The Time Machine as well as a futuristic short story by him, and I was amazed at how contemporary it felt.
If you're having a mid-life crisis, this is the novel for you...
I agree; set books can either introduce you to wonders or turn you off them for life, but I think that Polly is too good not to relish all over again.
(Mrs Andras still doesn't undersand why I love the Aeneid, but all the credit goes to our Latin teacher.)
I do know Wells used to work in Medhursts(?) in Bromley and there used to be a plaque to commemorate the fact on the very remodelled store. I think its now a Primark so not sure if it is there anymore.
This article may be of interest.
I actually haven't read any novels by H.G. Wells before. I find it hard to get into sci-fi. I tried reading the War of the Worlds, as I used to live in one of the places the Martians visited in that book, but I didn't really get into it, so abandoned it. But I see Mr Polly isn't sci-fi, so I am curious to see if I enjoy it.
Not read Mr Polly. I saw the film many, many years ago. I enjoyed that as a child but probably didn't understand it all. I just remember it conveying a very affable mood.
Must read it.
I have a rather nice old hardback copy of the book somewhere on the rambling bookshelves of the Episcopal Palace, so will find it, dust it off, and read it again.
Meanwhile, am I allowed to mention that ITV did a very good (IMHO) dramatization of it, starring Lee Evans as an excellent Mr. Polly, back in 2007? It is, I think, available on YouTube.
IJ
I'll phone the NLB tomorrow for an audio version.
I've never read Mr Polly but am tempted by being able to access it free online. Must. Not. Buy. Any. More. Books.
Thanks for the heads-up, BF, I'll see if I can find it.Sometimes the filmed versions complement the book, sometimes they don't.
Or why Romeo doesn't just come back as a shapeshifting vampire and carry on the affair with an Undead Juliet.
We had either Kipps or Mr Polly for Leaving Certificate set text. The other was set text the previous year. A couple of years after leaving school, I could not remember what we studied and when. I had them badly muddled. All I can now remember many years later was that they were both small hardcover red books by same publisher. Ooops.
Actually there are strong similarities between the two stories (and between both of them and the author's own early life).
But Wells himself said that he liked Mr Polly better, and I think he was right in his choice.
There are indeed similarities, and Wells did write from some personal experience.
I've found my copy of Mr. Polly - it is fact a former school copy (Beckenham Grammar School for Girls - NOT the establishment I attended, which was in a different town, and, alas, boys only). The dates of temporary ownership run from 1951 to 1956, mostly fifth-formers, though the last owner was in the third form.
The book itself was published by Collins Clear-Type Press as part of their Library Of The World's Classics. It dates from shortly after Wells' death in 1946, as that is mentioned in the biographical notes.
It might be interesting, later in the thread, to see if we can identify some of the places mentioned in the book, not all of them being fictitious. I actually live only a mile or so from 'Port Burdock'....
IJ
Hmmm - haven't thought of any yet; I'll turn my mind to it. But if you glance through earlier book group threads, you'll see what typical questions look like, though they're only ever intended to provoke thought.
As always, I'm open to suggestions at any time, provided that they're legal and decent.
I expect people will want to discuss the moral aspect of Mr. Polly's various actions, too.
IJ
(Where's the rubbing-your-hands-in-glee smiley?)
SD, be afraid.....be very afraid....
IJ
Hey ho!
My cheapo school copy has no such preface, I'm afraid, but other more opulent versions may well do. For those of us who are bereft of such extraneous luxuries, can you provide a link? Google is, for once, not particularly helpful.
Thank you in advance.
IJ
I also see from browsing Amazon that the complete novels of HG Wells can be bought in ebook format for 75p. I might get this.
Thank you.
IJ
Excellent - followed along on last month's book although I haven't finished it yet. Want to do better this time.
I realise straight away that this preface is very useful, since in talking about the background to the book, it will definitely help my perception of it! That is cheating a bit, but I will say if I do that!
Loaded on to my eReader...looking forward to some lazy reading over the weekend.
O cuckoo, shall I call thee bird, or but a wandering voice?
State the alternative preferred, with reasons for your choice.
I'm really not sure what English Lit. exams at school were meant to achieve, except to show that you've read the book (or perhaps that you've read the appropriate Coles Notes!) They certainly don't help most people to develop any sort of critical skills, and they turn some people off books completely.
IJ
Thanks for that - that may prove very useful for some folk.
Terry Pratchett commented once that he was brought up in a house that his young witch Tiffany Aching would have been immediately at home i - as also was I, and probably many other readers of a certain age.
Happy days, though black-leading the range is something which has now been consigned to history!