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The History of Mr Polly
The History of Mr Polly
Jan 9, 2026 9:01 PM

Author:John Sutherland,H G Wells,John Sutherland,Simon James

The History of Mr Polly

Mr Polly is an ordinary middle-aged man who is tired of his wife's nagging and his dreary job as the owner of a regional gentleman's outfitters. Faced with the threat of bankruptcy, he concludes that the only way to escape his frustrating existence is by burning his shop to the ground, and killing himself. Unexpected events, however, conspire at the last moment to lead the bewildered Mr Polly to a bright new future - after he saves a life, fakes his death, and escapes to a life of heroism, hope and ultimate happiness.

Reviews

A mighty literary experience

—— The Times

Quite simply, monumental

—— Washington Post

'A warm, funny story of love, life and infidelity... great beachtime reading'

—— Woman

Should come with a health warning. It's totally addictive . . . a real page turner

—— Sunday Express

Chatty and warmhearted, Keyes's talent is to tell it how it is

—— Independent

Our funniest living novelist

—— Daily Telegraph

Reaches a transcendental realm of its own. I couldn't even read it at times, because I was crying and choking with laughter

—— Daily Express

Sharpe is the funniest novelist currently writing ... I sat curled up with laughter

—— Time Out
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