Showing results by author "Arnold Bennett" in All Categories

Dive into a charming collection of short stories that gently satirize and humorously reflect on the everyday life of small-town England at the close of the nineteenth century. Set in the six towns of Staffordshire, famously known as the Potteries, Arnold Bennett artfully fictionalizes these locales, opting for the more melodious Five Towns by omitting Fenton. The narrative cleverly intertwines the real towns of Hanley, Longton, Burslem, and Tunstall, with Stoke transformed into the fictional Knype. Born in Hanley in 1867, Arnold Bennetts journey from a solicitors clerk to a celebrated writer ...

‘The Pretty Lady’ stands as one of Bennetts most insightful yet overlooked works. It tells the compelling story of Christine, a French prostitute who has fled the chaos of wartime Ostend to forge a new life in London. Rather than seeking sympathy, Christine embodies self-sufficiency, practicality, and resilience. She is not a predatory figure lurking for vulnerable soldiers but a savvy entrepreneur making the most of her circumstances. Her primary connection is with G.J. Hoape, a wealthy man beyond the militarys reach. Through this narrative, Bennett paints a haunting portrait of a wartime...

Meet Mr. Priam Farll, a gifted painter whose shyness is so profound that when his valet, Henry Leek, unexpectedly passes away, the doctor mistakenly identifies the dead man as Priam and the living artist as his servant. Rather than correct the error, Priam allows the ruse to continue. Following the lavish funeral in Westminster Abbey, he unexpectedly marries a widow and enjoys a blissful life—until financial troubles force him back to his easel. As a savvy art connoisseur begins to recognize Priam’s distinctive style, he believes the works to be those of a fraud and profits handsomely by ...

Dive into Clayhanger, the first book in a captivating trilogy that tells the coming-of-age tale of Edwin Clayhanger in the heart of Victorian Englands Midlands. As Edwin navigates the transition from schoolboy to businessman, he grapples with the weight of familial expectations, societal norms, and the complexities of first love. Set against the backdrop of Bennetts fictional 5 Towns, inspired by the real-life Potteries, this story explores the resilience required to forge ones identity amidst the constraints of a rigid society. Edwins journey is not just about survival; its a poignant ...

Murder mystery by Arnold Bennett, adapted in two parts by Chris Harrald. Episode 1. American tycoon Theodore Racksole buys Europe's most exclusive hotel on a whim, but is warned by the seller that he will live to regret it. Soon, a mysterious death occurs and Theodore and his daughter Nella...

In Price of Love, Rachel Louise Fleckring finds herself working for the elderly Mrs. Maldon, quickly becoming a cherished part of the family. As she navigates her growing feelings for one of Mrs. Maldons descendants, Rachel must confront the unsettling truth that her beloved may not be the honorable man she once believed him to be. Will love prevail, or will deception shatter her dreams? (Summary by Christine)

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. The zenith of Empire is bookended by two catastrophic wars that slaughter vast swathes of humanity. And yet authors manage to record and create fragile libraries of humanity, its talents, its dreams and increasingly its nightmares.

A spectacular collection of outstanding half-hour short stories...perfect for commuters or bedtime listening. 'The Whistle' by Hugh Walpole, 'The Well' by W. W. Jacobs, 'The Scrupulous Father' by George Gissing, 'The Debt' by Edith Wharton, 'The Problem of the Five Marks' by Melville Davisson Post, 'The Purple Wig' by G. K. Chesterton, 'Pickman's Model' by H. P. Lovecraft, 'Humplebee' by Geroge Gissing.

With the advent of the modern corporate workplace in the twenty-first century, more and more people are toiling away behind desks, wearily clocking the standard forty-hour week. By 1910, writer Arnold Bennett had observed a worrying trend of exhausted wage-earners whose waking hours revolved around their jobs and who had little time to spend on the business of actually living.

Set in the Potteries area of Staffordshire, England, this gripping tale follows Anna Tellwright, the daughter of a wealthy yet tyrannical father whose strict control extends even to her spiritual life within the Methodist church. After marrying the charming and respectable Henry, Anna seeks to break free from her fathers oppressive grasp. However, her desire to assist Willy, the troubled son of her fathers bankrupt business partner, leads her into a web of challenges and moral dilemmas that test her resolve.

A story of small-town intrigue that begins with a large sum of money being entrusted and then mysteriously disappearing. The novel was extremely popular and one of Bennett's greatest successes.

Meet Edward Henry Machin, affectionately known as ‘Denry’—the charming protagonist of this delightful tale. Set in the bustling pottery towns of the English Midlands during the late 19th century, Denry rises from the humble beginnings of a washerwoman and seamstresss son to become a wealthy figure, celebrated for his vibrant spirit and determination. With his quick wit and unshakeable nerve, he not only finds love and prosperity but also makes history as the youngest mayor of his hometown. As one councillor quips, He’s identified with the great cause of cheering us all up. Join us in ...

In this captivating coming-of-age tale, we follow the journey of Edwin Clayhanger, a young man whose aspirations of becoming an architect are crushed under the weight of his domineering father, Darius. Stranded in the family printing business, Edwin navigates the complexities of familial relationships and becomes enamored with the enigmatic Hilda Lessways. As he gradually takes charge of the family enterprise, the story intricately weaves through Edwin’s struggles and triumphs, marking the beginning of an engaging four-part series that chronicles his life. - Summary by Simon Evers

In Regent, we follow the further adventures of Denry Machin, the beloved protagonist from The Card. Now at forty-three, Denry grapples with the unsettling feeling of growing old, realizing that financial success and a stable home life no longer fulfill him. Yearning for change and excitement, he reflects, What I want is change - and a lot of it too! A serendipitous encounter at a local theatre sets him on a journey to London, where his quest for renewal truly begins. (Summary by A.J.M.)

A grisly collection of despicable crimes told by some of the world's best writers.

¿Sientes que el día no te alcanza? Cómo vivir 24 horas al día es tu guía para descubrir cómo aprovechar cada hora y transformar tu vida.

1. "The Mysterious Card" by Cleveland Moffett 2. "The Card Unveiled" by Cleveland Moffett 3. "The Problem of the Five Marks" by Melville Davisson Post 4. "A Terribly Strange Bed" by Wilkie Collins 5. "The Gold Bug" by Edgar Allan Poe 6. "Who Killed Charlie Winpole" by Ernest Bramah 7. "The Comedy at Fountain Cottage" by Ernest Bramah 8. "The Secret of the Smoked Spectacles" by William Le Queux 9. "The Hair" by A. J. Alan 10. "The Haunted Dolls’ House" by M. R. James, and many more....

Theodore Racksole ist verärgert. Unter gutem Service versteht er etwas anderes. Nicht nur, dass der Kellner des Londoner Nobelhotels, in dem er abgestiegen ist, ihm seinen Lieblingscocktail verwehrt, auch seiner Tochter Nella wird das gewünschte Steak verweigert. Wütend über das versnobte Verhalten des Personals kauft der amerikanische Millionär kurzerhand das gesamte Etablissement, nicht ahnend, welche Abgründe sich hinter der funkelnden Fassade verbergen.

In modern society writing a letter, on paper, is almost unheard of. We all scribble notes and reminders but very rarely compose our thoughts in lengthy prose for another person to read. In this volume our talented authors bring us a plethora of narratives that centre themselves on how vital a few lines are to characters navigating through the twists and turns of a story.

Sadness can be about so many things from places to people, from thoughts to actions. Our classic authors including Arnold Bennett, James Joyce, Willa Cather, Joseph Conrad, Ivan Turgenev and many others use their pens and stories to demonstrate the many ways this feeling can take a hold of lives and its consequences.