{"product_id":"book-iar4","title":"Kipps","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst published in 1905, H. G. Wells's \u003cem\u003eKipps \u003c\/em\u003eis an appraisal of society and class framed in a \"rags to riches\" style plot. The protagonist, Arthur Kipps, is an orphan who, from an early age, is entrusted to his Aunt and Uncle who own a shop in New Romney on the Kent coast in Southern England.  Educated poorly at a cheap, middle-class seminary boarding school, he is later apprenticed for seven years to a draper in Folkstone. Before he leaves home, however, Arthur becomes enamored by Ann (his best friend's sister). As a token of their love, they cut a sixpence in half and keep one half each. After a difficult apprenticeship and a drunken night out, he's dismissed from his job. But his friend Chitterlow (an actor and playwright) points out an article in a newspaper whereby Kipps is shocked to learn that he is, in fact, the grandson of a wealthy gentleman and is heir to a fortune. His life is totally changed as he is thrown into British upper-class society. He struggles to master the manners and rules that accompany his change of social status. But as he soon discovers, becoming a 'true gentleman' is not necessarily a good thing and certainly not easily achieved. In \u003cem\u003eKipps\u003c\/em\u003e, H. G. Wells achieves a work on a par with Dickens for observation of place, class, and society. It has been adapted often for stage, (the Musical \u003cem\u003eHalf a Sixpence\u003c\/em\u003e is loosely based on it) film, and television.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spoken Realms","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49351692943664,"sku":"BDiar4","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49351693009200,"sku":"ZEiar4","price":46.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD","offer_id":49351693074736,"sku":"ZMiar4","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/iar4-Square-cover.jpg?v=1776007492","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-iar4","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}