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The Wheels of Chance
by H. G. Wells
Comic social novel
The Wheels of Chance
Published: 1896
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Language: en-GB
Subjects: England -- Social conditions -- 19th century, Cycling in Literature
<p><i>The Wheels of Chance</i> is one of <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-g-wells">H. G. Wells’</a> comic novels, published in 1896. It satirizes the era's craze for cycling in Britain, soon after bicycles became easily available and affordable, and before the rise of the automobile.</p>
<p>The novel features the experiences of a humble draper’s assistant, Mr. Hoopdriver, who buys a second-hand bicycle and sets off on a touring holiday. Partway through his trip he encounters an attractive young woman dressed in cycling gear: that is, with pants rather than a skirt. When it appears that the young lady is in trouble, Hoopdriver comes to the rescue, and a series of amusing incidents ensue. As part of its comedy, the book makes some sharp observations about British class structure.</p>
<p><i>The Wheels of Chance</i> was published shortly after Wells’ first venture into science fiction with <i><a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-g-wells/the-time-machine">The Time Machine</a></i>. Because they were both short works, some early editions paired the two books into one volume.</p>
Source: Downloaded EPUB
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