Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
87th out of 2,590 books
—
900 voters
Tono-Bungay (The Works of H.G. Wells #12)
Presented as a miraculous cure-all, Tono-Bungay is in fact nothing other than a pleasant-tasting liquid with no positive effects. Nonetheless, when the young George Ponderevo is employed by his uncle Edward to help market this ineffective medicine, he finds his life overwhelmed by its sudden success. Soon the worthless substance is turned into a formidable fortune as socie...more
Paperback, 414 pages
Published
June 28th 2005
by Penguin Books
(first published 1909)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,152)
This is Wells writing stylistically like Dickens in a mode of novel-writing that aims at the nineteenth century version of social justice (even though it was published at the end of the first decade of the twentieth century).
Today he is mainly remembered for his science fiction. "Tono Bungay" is an unusual work in that it straddles two of these genres: it is both science fiction and social commentary. The novel follows the rise and fall of an empire built on a quack medicine. The medicine, Tono...more
Today he is mainly remembered for his science fiction. "Tono Bungay" is an unusual work in that it straddles two of these genres: it is both science fiction and social commentary. The novel follows the rise and fall of an empire built on a quack medicine. The medicine, Tono...more
Sep 04, 2007
Scarlett
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
alan
Shelves:
whitemalebritishprotagonist
only halfway through this one, but am loving it. once again a white male british protagonist (must read more women writers soon!), but the protagonist/author is incredible with writing descriptive detail. a great social commentary on class systems, industrialization in london, exploitation of the masses through marketing/advertising, etc. and an incredible vocabulary builder. SO many words i didn't know, but so well used i can discern their meaning contextually.
update: as with most satire, i "go...more
update: as with most satire, i "go...more
Sometime around 1875, a housekeeper on a large British estate decides she cannot handle her young son George any longer and sends him off to stay with this relative and that. The one he sticks with, his uncle, Edward Ponderevo, has plans for becoming “big people,” and after some education in London, George joins him there as the brains of his business enterprises. The rest of the story traces the rise of their fortunes, driven at first by the success of Tono-Bungay, a Coca-Cola-like drink sold a...more
This is a novel narrated by a young man who is caught up in his uncle's meteoric rise from pharmacist to successful seller of quack medicines to captain of industry and financier, and then his fall from grace.
I downloaded it from Project Gutenberg on the basis that it was supposed to be a scathing satire on unfettered capitalism, advertising and modernity (as seen in 1909), and it is those things but it's not quite as focussed as that summary might suggest. There's quite a lot of conventional hu...more
I downloaded it from Project Gutenberg on the basis that it was supposed to be a scathing satire on unfettered capitalism, advertising and modernity (as seen in 1909), and it is those things but it's not quite as focussed as that summary might suggest. There's quite a lot of conventional hu...more
"А теперь каждый, если только у него не слишком высокие требования к
жизни и он не обременен чувством собственного достоинства, может позволить
себе кой-какие излишества. Ныне можно прожить всю жизнь кое-как, ничему
всерьез не отдаваясь, потворствуя своим прихотям и ни к чему себя не
принуждая, не испытав по-настоящему ни голода, ни страха, ни подлинной
страсти, не узнав ничего лучше и выше, чем судорога чувственного
наслаждения, и впервые ощутить изначальную суровую правду бытия лишь в
свой смертный ч...more
жизни и он не обременен чувством собственного достоинства, может позволить
себе кой-какие излишества. Ныне можно прожить всю жизнь кое-как, ничему
всерьез не отдаваясь, потворствуя своим прихотям и ни к чему себя не
принуждая, не испытав по-настоящему ни голода, ни страха, ни подлинной
страсти, не узнав ничего лучше и выше, чем судорога чувственного
наслаждения, и впервые ощутить изначальную суровую правду бытия лишь в
свой смертный ч...more
H.G. Wells' bit of a satirical look at the effects of wealth, power and enterprise on ordinary lives...
The tale follows the experiences of George Ponderevo who is 'encouraged' by his uncle to work with him on marketing a new product, a sort of 'miracle cure' thing, it also greatly expounds on George's experiences from childhood, to university, to the heart of London, then wealth, fame, his inventions and intentions, the uncle's eventual bankruptcy, and oh yes his various 'loves', etc, etc...
The tale follows the experiences of George Ponderevo who is 'encouraged' by his uncle to work with him on marketing a new product, a sort of 'miracle cure' thing, it also greatly expounds on George's experiences from childhood, to university, to the heart of London, then wealth, fame, his inventions and intentions, the uncle's eventual bankruptcy, and oh yes his various 'loves', etc, etc...
Tono-Bungay by H. G. Wells, published in 1908.
This is a semi autobiographical fiction work. The narrator, George Ponderevo calls it a novel. George is a young man from the working middle class. His mother is a servant in Bladesover. George is sent away to learn a trade after he upsets the household. The major story follows George in the home of his uncle Edward Ponderevo. At this time George is studying the sciences with the plan to become a pharmacist with his uncle. His uncle loses his busine...more
This is a semi autobiographical fiction work. The narrator, George Ponderevo calls it a novel. George is a young man from the working middle class. His mother is a servant in Bladesover. George is sent away to learn a trade after he upsets the household. The major story follows George in the home of his uncle Edward Ponderevo. At this time George is studying the sciences with the plan to become a pharmacist with his uncle. His uncle loses his busine...more
I picked up H.G Wells' "Tono-Bungay" mainly because I grew up on a lake with a name similar to the title so I knew absolutely nothing about the story or plot. I was pleasantly surprised by this story, which was really engrossing and interesting.
The novel tells the story of George Ponderevo, who becomes wrapped up in his uncle's scheme to sell some sort of cure-all tonic that, of course, they both know is all bunk. The story is more expansive than that description, basically following the events...more
The novel tells the story of George Ponderevo, who becomes wrapped up in his uncle's scheme to sell some sort of cure-all tonic that, of course, they both know is all bunk. The story is more expansive than that description, basically following the events...more
HG Wells is a great author. I'm pretty sure this book must be semi-autobiographical b/c it is more of a "story of a dude" than necessarily what the back-cover describes (biting satire & social commentary). It is certainly a commentary on the issue of "social class" in England in the late-19th/early-20th Century and definitely hits the mark in many places in this regard. Some passages are absolutely brilliant. DON'T go to this book if you are looking for the Wells of popular-imagination (Isla...more
May 16, 2013
Stephanie "Jedigal"
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle-on-my,
1001-books
I've always enjoyed Wells sci-fi, for which he's best known, but apparently that is just a small portion of his work. Read this one because its on the 1001 list. Can't say I understand WHY it is, though. If this is representative of Wells non-SF work, then I won't be reading any more of it. Just seemed very tedious. FAR FAR too long, some of the prose seems exceptionally nice but nice and flowery WITHOUT purpose...
Apparently anti-capitalism but doesn't make a great argument, rather is just pres...more
Apparently anti-capitalism but doesn't make a great argument, rather is just pres...more
Jul 27, 2011
Apryl Anderson
added it
(7.01.1994), This was such a sad story, but brilliantly written. Is this how Wells felt about his life?
His dealings with women were rather strange. Did he prefer them to be unpredictable? Seems that way; or was it that he knew that the best ones were just as intelligent as himself, therefore just as flighty?
I was disgusted with his excusing away an affair. It was his fault that he ruined his relationship with his wife. Why are men trained to think so differently about marriage? After the conqu...more
His dealings with women were rather strange. Did he prefer them to be unpredictable? Seems that way; or was it that he knew that the best ones were just as intelligent as himself, therefore just as flighty?
I was disgusted with his excusing away an affair. It was his fault that he ruined his relationship with his wife. Why are men trained to think so differently about marriage? After the conqu...more
While modern and unique in its themes (and forever contemporary), it frequently pauses from exploring what it sets out to reveal in the first place in order to smother the reader in Dickensian descriptions. I am particularly harsh about this, as well as disappointed, for the sole reason that I really liked this book (or wanted to). Many strokes of brilliance here and there, playful and innovative wordplay, heavy themes are what kept me reading it. Unnecessarily chapters about irrelevant issues m...more
My favourite quote, from Edward's friend Ewart:
"What I like about it all, Ponderevo, is its poetry....That's where we get the pull of the animals. No animal would ever run a factory like this. Think!...One remembers the Beaver, of course. He might very possibly bottle things, but would he stick a label round 'em and sell 'em? The Beaver is a dreamy fool I'll admit, him and his dams, but after all, there's a sort of protection about 'em, a kind of muddy practicality! They prevent things getting a...more
"What I like about it all, Ponderevo, is its poetry....That's where we get the pull of the animals. No animal would ever run a factory like this. Think!...One remembers the Beaver, of course. He might very possibly bottle things, but would he stick a label round 'em and sell 'em? The Beaver is a dreamy fool I'll admit, him and his dams, but after all, there's a sort of protection about 'em, a kind of muddy practicality! They prevent things getting a...more
I really enjoyed the tone of this book and the way it de-escalates into ridiculousness as it continues on. In writing this, Wells was able to poke fun at a common scam of his time where a salesman would sell a miracle tonic of some sort that somehow had a cure for everything. The science world of this time period (which Wells often served as a spokesperson for) definitely knew better than to succumb to nutritional hoaxes but, the onslaught of mass production and the accompanying advertising of t...more
A compelling novel reflective of the dissolution of the British Empire at the turn of the twentieth century. Edward Mendelson's introduction to the Penguin classics edition makes the case for its modernist tendencies and tries to recuperate Wells as proto-modernist (despite Woolf's biting critique of Wells in "Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown"). Further, the novel indicts bourgeois modernity--its emphases on radical individualism, progress, free enterprise (capitalism), democracy, science, etc.--and m...more
I really loved this book but have to admit a strong bias toward loving anything by Wells. His characters are real, meticulous people, at the same time both thoughtful yet shortsighted. Wells has a knack for building believable communities and characters and then playing them out realistically in implausible, fanciful circumstances. One of my all-time favorite authors, and this is one of my favorite books by him, for all of the above reasons. Don't look for great drama or elaborate writing- it is...more
Sep 13, 2012
Pamela
marked it as abandoned
I tried, I really did. I swear. I got to 10% (reading this as an e-book--it's so strange to see progress in percentages!) and my eyeballs had crossed so much they were do-si-do-ing around in their sockets. My brain felt liquified. I felt an amazingly powerful rage rise up within me, wanting to scream out, "WHAT IS THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS?" Evidently, I didn't make it far enough to read the satire on consumerism, but at this point, I don't care. I quite like H.G. Wells' other stories (and yes, I...more
My first time reading anything by HG Wells; would recommend this edition in particular, as I found Andrea Barrett's introduction quite helpful. (Actually, of the four books that I have read from the Modern Library Classic editions, the introductions all have been quite good.) I would recommend re-reading the "introduction" again after reading the book... her observations on the structure of the novel, the metaphors, etc. are very insightful, and helped me understand why, as a novel, it is truly...more
Wells is best known for his SF stuff, but his historical writing is absolutely remarkable, and in my opinion, more rewarding. He is one of my literary and intellectual heroes. This book is a part of the reason why.
The novel deals with the rise and fall of the bastard son of an Edwardian chamber maid, via the cynical and crooked business machinations of his uncle, a chemist who "invents" and markets a "miracle cure". In the process, a business empire and financial bubble is created. Of course chi...more
The novel deals with the rise and fall of the bastard son of an Edwardian chamber maid, via the cynical and crooked business machinations of his uncle, a chemist who "invents" and markets a "miracle cure". In the process, a business empire and financial bubble is created. Of course chi...more
This isn't the H.G. Wells you think you know and it is a genius commentary of advertising and the boom/bust that it brings into our lives even today. Take what is basically water, call it Tono-Bungay and market the heck out of it as the medicine that will cure practically anything. You have a hit, a fad, the next big thing, but slowly that empire that you build on nothing starts to crumble. You start buying your own advertising slogans, everything you touch turns to gold and getting full of your...more
I was a little wary of this book at the start because it was prefaced by my professor as a book which many of her students did not like. I, however, enjoyed the read. I think Wells does an incredibly skillful job of encapsulating the issues of London during the turn of the 20th century. Tono-Bungay deals with issues of capitalism, gentry, new womanhood, the development of propaganda, and many others. I recommend this book especially to any history buffs!
A 3-star rating from me is unusually low. I tend to invest in what I read. However, I would not recommend this book to a friend nor would I read it again if I had the choice. When I was reading "The River of Doubt" Teddy Roosevelt had referred to this book, "Tono Bungay". I believe he read the book while on that trip. So I was curious and wanted to read it and I enjoyed reading it. It is a fun story and a different genre than my usual fare.
While Tono-Bungay is presented as patent medicine, the story would ring true if it were certain financial offerings, certain of the dot-com creations, and other things offered to the public. Civilization produces a lot of wasted work and wasteful efforts; but there is also science, truth, and the goals of individuals - - and these later may not be visible because of the attention attracted by the Tono-Bungay of the day.
A book often starts a bit slowly for me, but after 30 or 40 pages, I'll gather more interest. I did not expect this to be any different. Early, is this: I thought of my uncle as Teddy directly I saw him; there was something in his personal appearance that in the light of that memory phrased itself at once as Teddiness -- a certain Teddidity. Tedditity. Certainly I could look forward to more such imaginative phrasing.
Unfortunately, I never noticed another. I wonder if Wells got tired writing thi...more
Unfortunately, I never noticed another. I wonder if Wells got tired writing thi...more
This book is almost the opposite of a Dickens novel--or rather, a Dickens novel undone. The fraudulent characters don't amuse, the adventures and escapes are pathetic and sad, the romance is unsatisfying, the rich are trapped or fading and the poor are far from noble; and the narrator himself is harsh, ineffective, and hard to like. I wonder if all of that was intentional: it does remind me of "Great Expectations" in its structure, its anticlimaxes and unhappy ending--all taken further than Dick...more
Why this isn't one of H.G. Wells' more popular novels I don't know. He creates a character both likable and relatable but very human in the midst of struggling with all of the coming of age issues that we all deal with. But what sets this story apart is that it pokes so much fun at society and the trials that come from success and failure that I will enjoy reading and re-reading this novel for years to come!
May 29, 2011
Vasha7
added it
This book kept me engrossed while reading it; a classic for good reasons. It is fairly dark in its depiction of the colossal wastefulness of modern society, of the cruel folly of commerce. It ends on a note of peculiar optimism that is quite science-fictional.
I'm only giving this 3 stars because I didn't understand it. I can't believe I read it! My dad recommended it, but all the subtleties were definitely over my head. You should ask his opinion though because he says it's wonderful.
If you enjoy thinking about patent medicine from the early 20th century and the flourishing of capitalism/it's imminent demise, this book will be your style. Otherwise? It is not your typical Wells and does not read like War of the Worlds or The Island of Doctor Moreau.
A non-science fiction novel from H.G. Wells....portions mirror his own life. Mostly well written...even in parts comparable to Dickens. But I found myself wandering in some scenes that were drawn out a bit too much...thus earning just four stars from me.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxall's 1001 Bo...: May {2013} Discussion -- TONO-BUNGAY by H.G. Wells | 3 | 30 | May 16, 2013 08:33am |
Herbert George Wells, better known as H. G. Wells, was the third son of a shopkeeper. After two years' apprenticeship in a draper's shop, he became a pupil-teacher at Midhurst Grammar School and won a scholarship to study under T. H. Huxley at the Normal School of Science, South Kensington. He taught biology before becoming a professional writer and journalist.
Wells is most famous today for his s...more
More about H.G. Wells...
Wells is most famous today for his s...more
Share This Book
“What I want to know is, in the Middle Ages, did they do anything for Housemaid's Knee? What did they put in their hot baths after jousting?”
—
2 people liked it
“It was Plutarch, you know, and nothing intrinsically American that prevented George Washington being a King...”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
Jun 27, 2008 08:30pm