The Wheels of Chance by H.G. Wells

Name: The Wheels of Chance
Author: H.G. Wells

A young man embarks on a cycling tour with his fiancée, but their relationship is put to the test by various challenges and misadventures along the way. The story explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in late Victorian England.

By H.G. Wells · First published 1896 · Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Social Commentary · 41 chapters · 68,291 words

First lines

If you (presuming you are of the sex that does such things)-if you had gone into the Drapery Emporium-which is really only magnificent for shop-of Messrs. Antrobus & Co. -a perfectly fictitious "Co.," by the bye-of Putney, on the 14th of August, 1895, had turned to the right-hand side, where the blocks of white linen and piles of blankets rise up to the rail from which the pink and blue prints depend, you might have been served by the central figure of this story that is now beginning. He would have come forward, bowing and swaying, he would have extended two hands with largish knuckles and enormous cuffs over the counter, and he would have asked you, protruding a pointed chin and without the slightest anticipation of pleasure in his manner, what he might have the pleasure of showing you.

What this Textopian page supports

The Wheels of Chance is listed on Textopian as a novel by H.G. Wells, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Adventure, Social Commentary, Romance, Satire
Length: 68,291 words
Structure: 41 chapters, 1,237 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Wheels of Chance by H.G. Wells
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Wheels of Chance?
How does this novel by H.G. Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Comedy — The book is primarily a comedic novel, focusing on the humorous adventures and misadventures of its protagonist.
Adventure — The narrative follows the protagonist on a cycling tour, which involves various adventures and encounters.
Social Commentary — The story provides insights into the social norms and class distinctions of the time period in which it is set.
Romance — There are elements of romance as the protagonist becomes involved with a female character during his journey.