Kipps by H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells is often remembered for his scientific romances, yet he possessed a profound gift for social realism that rivals Charles Dickens. *Kipps*,…
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H. G. Wells is often remembered for his scientific romances, yet he possessed a profound gift for social realism that rivals Charles Dickens. *Kipps*, published in 1905, stands as a testament to this lesser-known facet of his genius. It is a novel that breathes with the specific atmosphere of Edwardian England, capturing the rigid class structures and the quiet desperation of those who exist on their margins. The story follows Arthur Kipps, a draper’s apprentice from Kent whose life is upended by an unexpected inheritance. This windfall thrusts him into the bewildering world of middle-class etiquette and social performance. Wells uses Kipps’s journey to explore the tension between authenticity and aspiration. He examines how wealth can alienate a person from their roots and how the pressure to conform creates a profound internal fracture. The narrative is tender and satirical, balancing humor with genuine psychological insight. It asks whether one can truly belong in a society that values appearance over character. As you listen to the audiobook and read along, notice the careful rendering of Kipps’s voice.
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Public domain & narration
Kipps was first published in 1905. Works first published before 1931 are in the public domain in the United States, so the text is free to read, share and adapt. The edition shown here comes from Project Gutenberg, which publishes only books that are in the US public domain.
The narration is the LibriVox recording read by Anthony Ogus (1945-2026). LibriVox volunteers dedicate their recordings to the public domain.
Ion Books adds the synchronized scrolling text and video, so you can read along while you listen, for free.
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Chapters
- Book 1, Chapter 1 (50:44) · watch
- Book 1, Chapter 2 (42:34) · watch
- Book 1, Chapter 3 (36:48) · watch
- Book 1, Chapter 4 (45:58) · watch
- Book 1, Chapter 5 (16:37) · watch
- Book 1, Chapter 6 (57:36) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 1 (51:36) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 2 (24:44) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 3 (41:08) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 4 (19:20) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 5 (35:56) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 6 (39:53) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 7 (1:09:13) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 8 (40:59) · watch
- Book 2, Chapter 9 (16:36) · watch
- Book 3, Chapter 1 (43:44) · watch
- Book 3, Chapter 2 (26:50) · watch
- Book 3, Chapter 3 (54:50) · watch
Full text
This work is too long to show on one page. Read it on Project Gutenberg · download ebook.txt