Tony Grist (poliphilo) wrote,
Tony Grist
poliphilo

The History Of Mr Polly: H.G. Wells

Mr Polly is a sparkier Kipps- a clever, word-drunk, little man who discovers- just before it's too late- that "if the world does not please you, you can change it."  In many ways Polly anticipates the Chaplin persona- with the difference that the menace and slapstick violence of his world are as frightening as they're funny. When nasty Uncle Jim says "I'll kick you ugly" he absolutely means it.. This was Wells's favourite among his books- a  comic romp with soul- and if not absolutely his masterpiece (that has to be Tono-Bungay) a book that displays him at the very top of his form. 
Subscribe

  • Golden

    I remember a blind man telling us that what he saw- in his mind's eye- was not darkness- as we'd presumed- but a "wonderful golden…

  • Back To The Meeting House

    I dreamed I was attending a church service. It was sort of Anglican, sort of Methodist, sort of Quaker. The building was very grand. I was sitting…

  • Sussex Charmer

    The Summer Solstice- and it's going to be another very hot day. Yesterday we drove across the County to buy the intensely local cheese they make…

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
    Help
  • 2 comments