The Wheels of Chance

H. G. Wells's The Wheels of Chance follows Mr. Hoopdriver, a humble draper's assistant, as he escapes the drudgery of retail life for a cycling holiday. Amidst the 1890s cycling craze, he encounters Jessie Milton, a bold 'New Woman' seeking her own freedom. This witty picaresque novel explores class identity, the power of imagination, and social liberation. It’s a charming tale of self-discovery where the bicycle serves as the vehicle for physical and social mobility.