He hated Fishbourne… he hated his shop and his wife and his neighbours … he hated himself” The History of Mr Polly is a delightful comedy of the everyday life and struggles of a ‘little man’ in Edwardian England. Herbert George Wells (the ‘father of science fiction’) drew inspiration from his own life to tell the story of Alfred Polly, a middle-aged man who works as a gentlemen's outfitter in the fictional provincial town of Fishbourne. After failing to commit suicide, Mr Polly takes off "on the tramp" and walks himself into a better future through what he calls his "exploratious menanderings". The History of Mr Polly is filled with countless brilliantly observed details which would not be out of place in the novels of Charles Dickens. Published by Odhams, London (no date). Hardcover. Clean copy in good condition. Good binding.