The Way of All Flesh
The Way of All Flesh is Samuel Butler's semi-autobiographical novel, written between about 1872 and 1884 and published in 1903, the year after his death. Told by an older friend of the family, it follows four generations of the Pontifex family, and above all Ernest Pontifex, raised by a tyrannical clergyman father and a pious mother who mistake cruelty and conformity for virtue. Ernest's schooling, his ordination, a disastrous mistake and his long struggle to free himself from his upbringing are recounted with sharp irony. The novel's attack on Victorian family life, religion and respectability made it an important influence on writers of the following generation. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Way of All Flesh
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Way of All Flesh online?
Yes. The Way of All Flesh opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Way of All Flesh free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Way of All Flesh is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Way of All Flesh in the public domain?
Yes. The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Way of All Flesh?
About 10 h 49 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Way of All Flesh?
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
