Synopsis

History

First publication: J. M. Dent, 1896

Review

Not SF or Fantasy, Wells’ third novel is a social comedy. The basic story is the protagonist buys a bicycle and goes for a long bike ride through the English countryside. At this time bikes were expensive and so only the rich were riding around this way. He overspent in order to be able to join with the upper class. Along the way he becomes attracted to a woman bicyclist and they keep crossing paths. It is a fun novel and a fairly fast one to read. I like his science fiction better than this one, but still completely enjoyed it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a lightly funny and lightly romantic novel about the society of the time. -Gregory Kerkman