When your life’s path seems set in stone, who wouldn’t long for a bit of adventure?

In 1910s England, everyone knew their place. But 13-year-old Bealby isn’t content to become a servant in a big country house. So he goes on the run from his duties. Over the course of a week, he joins up with a ragtag band of wanderers, and gets ensnared in a burglary plot.

A satirical look at class and duty, "Bealby - A Holiday" is a comic gem from H.G. Wells. It was inspired by his own childhood, when he spent time as a draper’s apprentice. It makes for a fun read for Wells fans of all ages.

H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".

Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

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