Vice Versa

Vice Versa (1882) is a comic novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie that was a popular success and inspired Mary Rodgers' Freaky Friday (1972). It is referenced in various works and follows the story of a boy who asks to take a stone back by his uncle from India, which has magical properties. The stone transforms his father into a child the same age as his son, and they must navigate each other's daily lives while keeping their transformations secret.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

Vice Versa (1882) is a comic novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, marking his debut and establishing him as a prominent humorist of his era. The novel has been adapted numerous times for film, theater, and radio, inspiring Mary Rodgers' beloved Freaky Friday (1972) and making references in various works such as C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength, James Joyce's Ulysses, and Malcolm Lowry's Under the Volcano. As the holiday season comes to an end, Dick prepares to return to boarding school, filled with dread and anticipation of encountering his stern headmaster, Dr. Grimstone. His father, businessman Paul Bultitude, attempts to console him, urging him to cherish his time at school and warning him that life becomes increasingly tiresome with age. However, Dick remains melancholic throughout the day. At the last moment, he asks if he can take with him a stone brought back by his uncle from India. Initially hesitant, Mr. Bultitude agrees to fetch it, unaware of its potent magical properties. Struggling to convince Dick to leave, he confesses that his deepest wish in life is to relive his boyhood once more. Suddenly, the magic of the stone takes hold, transforming Mr. Bultitude into a child of the same age as his son. Terrified, he pleads with Dick to change him back, but the boy senses a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and wishes on the stone to become a middle-aged man. As they navigate each other's daily lives, father and son gain a deeper understanding of each other's fears, dreams, and desires, all while desperately trying to keep their transformations secret. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Thomas Anstey Guthrie's Vice Versa offers a captivating and timeless reading experience.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513135458