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The Card

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The Card

By: Arnold Bennett
Narrated by: Stephen Thompkinson
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Summary

Written in 1911, The Card is the story of Edward Henry (Denry) Machin, who rises from washerwoman's son to the Mayor of Bursley (Burslem in the Potteries town of Stoke-on-Trent) via a mixture of gentle deceit and personal hype.

He is literally a trickster of confidence. His rise to fame is begun at an exclusive ball to which he has got himself invited, where he has the audacity to claim a dance with the glamourous but imposing Countess of Chell. His reputation as a card, or someone we all want to talk about, thus confirmed, Denry continues his irresitable rise through the sticky class system of turn-of-the-century Britain using money, influence and the allure of what we have come to call celebrity.

With the aid of the Countess, who cannot seem to prevent herself helping him, Denry conquers Bursely, The Five Towns and, as the longevity of the book’s reputation testifies, the literary world.

Public Domain (P)2007 Silksoundbooks Limited Literature & Fiction Funny
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As a Potteries local I really enjoyed listening to this book. Bennett could really give his characters a personality, and the storyline is funny yet poignant. I also enjoyed trying to identify each of the places.
The narration is also excellent, bringing a real warmth and feeling.
I now need to seek out The Regent, which is the sequel, as Denry has so much more to offer as he continues his life in Bursley.

Great Classic and Well Narrated

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I thoroughly enjoyed The Card by Arnold Bennett. It’s a fantastic story with a great pace, set against real historical places and centred on a truly engaging character. The novel captures ingenuity and entrepreneurship, with just the right touch of drama to keep things lively.
If you enjoy the charm of an Ealing-style comedy alongside a period drama that’s easy to follow, this is well worth your time. It’s narrated beautifully and is thoroughly compelling from start to finish.

A great yarn set in an interesting era of the Midlands and Staffordshire.

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Arnold Bennett’ style and wit is a breath of fresh air in today s world.
Further enhanced by StephenThomkinson s wonderful narration’s, hope to hear him again on audible books.

Undiscovered gem

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It is so rare to find a book that is happy and joyous. This excellent book is performed superbly by the narrator, Stephen Tompkinson. Sound quality is also excellent, lovely and loud. This is the kind of book that you can listen to over and over again. If only there were more books like this.

Wonderful

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The narrator, Stephen Thompkinson, gives a great performance and does a fantastic job of salvaging this episodic and uneven novel from ignominy. This is mildly entertaining at best, and if this is your first foray into Bennett I'd recommend instead reaching for his "The Old Wives' Tale", a much more accomplished and captivating book.

Not Bennett's best

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