The Purple Pileus

When unassuming shopkeeper, Mr Coombes, decides to end his melancholic life, he eats what he believes to be a poisonous mushroom: the 'Purple Pileus' of the title. However, Mr Coombes is mistaken in his choice and, instead, ingests a fungus with powerful hallucinatory properties. In the grip of a psychedelic fever, the shopkeeper decides it’s time for a change. One of Wells’ short stories, this intriguing tale was adapted for television in 2016, featuring Leanne Best and Ray Winstone.



HG Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’