The History of Mr. Polly is a humorous yet poignant novel by H. G. Wells, published in 1910. It follows Alfred Polly, a discontented and daydreaming draper’s assistant trapped in a dreary life and a loveless marriage. Yearning for escape, Polly makes a disastrous and darkly comic attempt to end it all—only to accidentally commit arson and flee his old life. Reinventing himself in a quiet country inn, he finds purpose, friendship, and a sense of belonging. Unlike Wells’s famous science fiction works, this novel is a realistic, character-driven story that captures the struggles of the English lower-middle class with warmth and satire. Wells paints Polly as a "reluctant hero" whose quiet rebellion against mediocrity resonates with anyone feeling stuck in life. The novel explores themes of identity, social conformity, and the search for happiness in a restrictive world.
