The Wheels of Chance

Description

The Wheels of Chance is a comedy novel by English writer H. G. Wells, first published in 1896. Written during a cycling craze that swept the nation in the late 1800's, the novel tells the tale of Mr. Hoopdriver, a draper's assistant in a southern England town, who embarks on a cycling holiday. He is an inexperienced cyclist, and his journey is filled with amusing misadventures as he navigates the English countryside. Along the way, he encounters Jessie Milton, a young woman escaping from a controlling stepfather. Jessie is on a cycling tour herself and presents herself as a more independent and modern woman, contrasting with Hoopdriver's more traditional and timid character. The two form an unlikely companionship, with Hoopdriver often finding himself in awkward situations as he tries to impress and protect Jessie. Their adventures include escaping from a persistent suitor, Mr. Bechamel, who poses a threat to Jessie’s newfound freedom.

This book has 55,945 words, 108 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1896.

Production notes: This ebook of The Wheels of Chance was published by Global Grey in 2019, and updated on the 14th June 2024. The artwork used for the cover is 'Castle Hedingham, Essex' by Eric Ravilious.