Arnold Bennett

Arnold Bennett was an English novelist, playwright, and critic, born on May 27, 1867, in Hanley, Staffordshire. He is best known for his keen observations of life in the potteries of Northern England, particularly through his celebrated works such as "The Clayhanger Family" and "Anna of the Five Towns." Bennett's writing is characterized by its rich detail and a deep understanding of human nature, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people in a rapidly changing world. His experiences in the industrial landscape of the Midlands greatly influenced his literary voice, making his stories resonate with audiences seeking authenticity and insight into everyday life.

Throughout his career, Bennett explored various genres, including novels, short stories, and even plays, showcasing his versatility as a writer. He was not only a keen observer but also an advocate for the importance of literature in society, believing that it should reflect the realities of contemporary life. If you're curious about Bennett's unique perspective and storytelling prowess, take a moment to delve into his works available in the app. You might just find a new favorite that offers a window into the rich tapestry of early 20th-century English life.

The Card

Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) 4.8
The ‘Card’ in question is Edward Henry Machin - His mother called him ‘Denry’. This light-hearted story is of his rise from humble beginning…

The Old Wives' Tale

Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) 4.8
The Old Wives' Tale is a novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. It deals with the lives of two very different sisters, Constance …

Helen with the High Hand

Read by Simon Evers 4.6
James Ollerenshaw is a middle-aged, wealthy bachelor who lives in Bursley, one of the Five Towns. A chance encounter with Helen, his great s…

The Grand Babylon Hotel

Read by Anna Simon 4.5
Theodore Racksole, a rich American multi-millionaire, buys the Grand Babylon Hotel, a luxurious hotel in London, as a whim - and then finds …

Clayhanger (Version 2)

Read by Simon Evers 4.7
A coming-of-age story about Edwin Clayhanger, who leaves school, has his ambition to become an architect thwarted by his tyrannical father, …

The Regent

Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) 4.7
'The Regent' is, if not a sequel to 'The Card', then a 'Further Adventures of' the eponymous hero of that novel.Denry Machin is now forty-th…

Buried Alive

Read by Simon Evers 4.7
The hero is Mr Priam Farll, a painter of considerable ability. He is, however, extremely shy – so shy that when his valet, Henry Leek, dies …

Mr. Prohack

Read by Simon Evers 4.6
Mr Prohack, an ordinary official in the Treasury and leading a hum-drum life, suddenly and unexpectedly inherits a large sum of money which,…

The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories

Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) 4.9
The Matador of the Five Towns is a collection of twenty-two short stories by Arnold Bennett, offering a vivid portrayal of life in the ficti…

A Great Man: a Frolic

Read by Simon Evers 4.6
Subtitled 'A Frolic', this light-hearted book follows the fortunes of Henry Shakespeare Knight who, rather to his own surprise, writes a bes…

These Twain

Read by Simon Evers 4.5
Hilda is saved from destitution by Edwin Clayhanger who marries her. The two, with Hilda's son by her disastrous 'marriage' to George Cannon…

The Human Machine

Read by Ruth Golding 4.6
Bennett asks us to consider our brains as the most wonderful machine, a machine which is the only thing in this world that we can control. A…

Tales of the Five Towns

Read by Martin Clifton 4.6
This is a selection of short stories recounting, with gentle satire and tolerant good humour, the small town provincial life at the end of t…

Lilian

Read by Simon Evers 4.4
Lilian works in a typewriting office owned by Felix Grig, a middle-aged man of means. The office is run by his spinster sister, Miss Grig, w…

The Ghost: A Modern Fantasy

Read by Simon Evers 4.4
The novel opens with Carl Foster, a recently qualified doctor, coming to London to try and make his fortune. He meets a famous tenor, Signor…

Riceyman Steps

Read by Anthony Ogus 4.6
Arnold Bennet's masterly novel is a gritty tale about a bookseller whose life and love of a woman are afflicted by miserliness. It is set in…

Self and Self-management: Essays about Existing

Read by Ruth Golding 4.4
Bennett's essays always provide food for thought and bring a wry smile to the lips. Human nature, it appears, changes little over the ages, …

The Roll-Call

Read by Simon Evers 4.4
"The Roll-Call" is the sequel to the Clayhanger trilogy. This book concerns the young life of Clayhanger's stepson, George. George…

The Loot Of Cities

Read by David Wales 4.5
Published in 1917, this is a collection of a novella and seven short stories by one of the cleverest authors of the early twentieth century.…

Hilda Lessways

Read by Simon Evers 4.3
This book is the second in Bennett’s four books about life in the Five Towns (the real life Potteries in Staffordshire). It tells the story …

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