'The Wheels of Chance' (1896) by H G Wells

'The Wheels of Chance' is a comic novel that explores themes of social class, freedom, and self-discovery, all through the lens of the late 19th-century cycling craze in England. The story follows Mr. Hoopdriver, a young, unremarkable draper's assistant from London, who sets out on a two-week cycling holiday, hoping to escape his monotonous life behind the shop counter.

Mr. Hoopdriver is an inexperienced cyclist, and his journey is filled with humorous mishaps as he navigates the countryside on his bicycle. Despite his lack of skill, he revels in the newfound freedom and adventure that cycling brings him, offering a stark contrast to the rigid routines of his everyday life.

During his travels, Hoopdriver encounters Jessie Milton, a young woman from a more affluent background who is also on a cycling trip. Jessie is fleeing from the expectations of her conservative stepmother and a controlling suitor, Mr. Bechamel. She aspires to a more independent life, yearning for the freedom to make her own choices. Seeing Hoopdriver as a potential ally, she enlists his help to escape her pursuers, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comic escapades.

Hoopdriver, infatuated with Jessie and eager to play the role of a hero, fabricates stories about his own background to appear more impressive. He quickly becomes caught up in his own lies, even as he tries to protect Jessie from Bechamel. As they travel together, Hoopdriver’s romantic dreams clash with the realities of the situation, and he struggles with his own feelings of inadequacy and class differences between himself and Jessie.

Eventually, the truth about Hoopdriver's humble origins and Bechamel's real intentions come to light. Hoopdriver comes to terms with his limitations and the unlikelihood of a romantic future with Jessie. In the end, they part ways, with Jessie choosing to pursue her aspirations on her own terms, while Hoopdriver returns to his life in London, changed by the adventure. He has gained a new sense of confidence and perspective, even though his life remains tied to the constraints of his social position.

The Wheels of Chance is a lighthearted, yet insightful story that explores the possibilities and limitations of social mobility, the tension between dreams and reality, and the allure of adventure during a time when cycling offered new freedoms to people of all classes. H.G. Wells uses humor and the perspective of a modest protagonist to comment on the social dynamics of Victorian England, making the novel both a satirical critique and a celebration of the simple pleasures of life.