Certain Personal Matters

Name: Certain Personal Matters
Author: H.G. Wells

The novel explores the complexities of human relationships and societal norms through a series of interconnected stories that examine the intricacies of personal connections, love, and identity. It delves into themes of morality, social class, and the constraints placed on individuals by their circumstances. The narrative weaves together multiple storylines, each highlighting the tensions between individual desires and the expectations of those around them.

By H.G. Wells · First published 1903 · Genre: Essay, Humor, Autobiographical · 39 chapters · 63,749 words

First lines

The world mends. In my younger days people believed in mahogany; some of my readers will remember it -- a heavy, shining substance, having a singularly close resemblance to raw liver, exceedingly heavy to move, and esteemed on one or other count the noblest of all woods. Such of us as were very poor and had no mahogany pretended to have mahogany; and the proper hepatite tint was got by veneering. That makes one incline to think it was the colour that pleased people. In those days there was a word "trashy," now almost lost to the world. My dear Aunt Charlotte used that epithet when, in her feminine way, she swore at people she did not like. "Trashy" and "paltry" and "Brummagem" was the very worst she could say of them. And she had, I remember, an intense aversion to plated goods and bronze halfpence. The halfpence of her youth had been vast and corpulent red-brown discs, which it was folly to speak of as small change.

What this Textopian page supports

Certain Personal Matters is listed on Textopian as a novel by H.G. Wells, dated 1903 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: H.G. Wells
Date: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Essay, Humor, Autobiographical, Social Commentary
Length: 63,749 words
Structure: 39 chapters, 510 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

Genres

Essay — The book is a collection of essays reflecting on various personal and social topics.
Humor — The writing style is often humorous, with witty observations and satirical elements.
Autobiographical — The essays include personal reflections and insights from the author's own life experiences.
Social Commentary — The essays provide commentary on societal norms and human behavior.