The Improvised Life of Polycarp Jarvis
Victor Canning
An exuberant, life-affirming novel of taking your chances
After a spur-of-the-moment day out with his boss’ daughter in celebration of his 21st birthday, Polycarp Jarvis decides to quit his Bristol-based junior government worker job. Newly emboldened, he embarks on an erratic, engaging and not always strictly legal course through life.
Going from bus driver for the Red Dragon Motor Company to co-owner of a flying company, to seller of quack medicines, and eventually to media tycoon, Polycarp makes much of his luck along the way. Through ups and downs, his exuberance and charm carry him through.
But what kind of person will he be by the end?
This gentle coming-of-age story was hugely popular on first publication in the 1930s and retains a timeless appeal today.
Praise for Victor Canning:
‘Quite delightful … with an atmosphere of quiet contentment and humour that cannot fail to charm.’ Daily Telegraph
‘There is such a gentle humour in the book.’ Daily Sketch
‘What counts for most in the story … is his mounting pleasure in vagabondage and the English scene.’ The Times
‘A paean to the beauties of the English countryside and the lovable oddities of the English character.’ New York Times
‘His delight at the beauties of the countryside and his mild astonishment at the strange ways of men are infectious.’ Daily Telegraph
‘A swift-moving novel, joyous, happy and incurably optimistic.’ Evening Standard
‘His gift of story-telling is obviously innate. Rarely does one come on so satisfying an amalgam of plot, characterisation and good writing.’ Punch
Author - Victor Canning.
Narrator - John Higgins.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Networks:
Victor Canning
John Higgins
Classic Canning
Duckworth Books
English Audiobooks
Findaway Audiobooks
Description:
An exuberant, life-affirming novel of taking your chances After a spur-of-the-moment day out with his boss’ daughter in celebration of his 21st birthday, Polycarp Jarvis decides to quit his Bristol-based junior government worker job. Newly emboldened, he embarks on an erratic, engaging and not always strictly legal course through life. Going from bus driver for the Red Dragon Motor Company to co-owner of a flying company, to seller of quack medicines, and eventually to media tycoon, Polycarp makes much of his luck along the way. Through ups and downs, his exuberance and charm carry him through. But what kind of person will he be by the end? This gentle coming-of-age story was hugely popular on first publication in the 1930s and retains a timeless appeal today. Praise for Victor Canning: ‘Quite delightful … with an atmosphere of quiet contentment and humour that cannot fail to charm.’ Daily Telegraph ‘There is such a gentle humour in the book.’ Daily Sketch ‘What counts for most in the story … is his mounting pleasure in vagabondage and the English scene.’ The Times ‘A paean to the beauties of the English countryside and the lovable oddities of the English character.’ New York Times ‘His delight at the beauties of the countryside and his mild astonishment at the strange ways of men are infectious.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A swift-moving novel, joyous, happy and incurably optimistic.’ Evening Standard ‘His gift of story-telling is obviously innate. Rarely does one come on so satisfying an amalgam of plot, characterisation and good writing.’ Punch Author - Victor Canning. Narrator - John Higgins. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:00:12
Chapter 2
Duration:00:24:42
Chapter 3
Duration:00:26:55
Chapter 4
Duration:00:27:20
Chapter 5
Duration:00:31:13
Chapter 6
Duration:00:29:59
Chapter 7
Duration:00:32:19
Chapter 8
Duration:00:18:51
Chapter 9
Duration:00:25:11
Chapter 10
Duration:00:37:13
Chapter 11
Duration:00:39:10
Chapter 12
Duration:00:35:44
Chapter 13
Duration:00:32:37
Chapter 14
Duration:00:39:12
Chapter 15
Duration:00:15:24
Chapter 16
Duration:00:30:07
Chapter 17
Duration:00:28:49
Chapter 18
Duration:00:39:31
Chapter 19
Duration:00:21:56
Chapter 20
Duration:00:23:12
Chapter 21
Duration:00:35:03
Chapter 22
Duration:00:34:10
Chapter 23
Duration:00:18:14
Chapter 24
Duration:00:28:31
Chapter 25
Duration:00:22:05
Chapter 26
Duration:00:20:44
Chapter 27
Duration:00:18:29
Chapter 28
Duration:00:00:14