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 Roll-Call
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
"The Roll-Call" is the sequel to the Clayhanger trilogy. This book concerns the young life of Clayhanger's stepson, George. George…
Mr. Prohack
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
Mr Prohack, an ordinary official in the Treasury and leading a hum-drum life, suddenly and unexpectedly inherits a large sum of money which,…
Anna of the Five Towns
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Arnold Bennett
The plot centers on Anna Tellwright, daughter of a wealthy but miserly and dictatorial father, living in the Potteries area of Staffordshire…
A Great Man: a Frolic
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
Subtitled 'A Frolic', this light-hearted book follows the fortunes of Henry Shakespeare Knight who, rather to his own surprise, writes a bes…
The Feast of St. Friend
Read by Ruth Golding
Arnold Bennett
In The Feast of St. Friend, a Christmas book, Arnold Bennett shares his views on Christmas as the season of goodwill. As always, Bennett's w…
Clayhanger
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Arnold Bennett
This first of a trilogy of novels is a coming-of-age story set in the Midlands of Victorian England, following Edwin Clayhanger as he leaves…
Clayhanger (Version 2)
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
A coming-of-age story about Edwin Clayhanger, who leaves school, has his ambition to become an architect thwarted by his tyrannical father, …
The Loot Of Cities
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett
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.…
Leonora
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
Leonora Stanway is 40 and lives a comfortable middle-class life with her unsympathetic and dull husband, John. Her three daughters are rapid…
Helen with the High Hand
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
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…
Riceyman Steps
Read by Anthony Ogus
Arnold Bennett
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…
The Grim Smile Of The Five Towns
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett
The Grim Smile of the Five Towns (1907) is the second major collection of stories written by Arnold Bennett. (The first is Tales Of The Five…
Over There: War Scenes On The Western Front
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett
Bennett's served in many capacities in the WWI war effort. After a visit to the Western Front he wrote this 1915 collection of essays about …
The Old Adam
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Arnold Bennett
Edward Henry Machin, whose rise from humble beginnings to prosperity was told in 'The Card', leads a comfortable life in the English Midland…
Elsie And The Child; A Tale Of Riceyman Steps And Other Stories
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett
Thirteen short stories (1924) by a master story teller of the early twentieth century. His writings, fiction and nonfiction, were popular wi…
Your United States: Impressions Of A First Visit
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett
Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867 – 1931) was an English writer. He is best known as a novelist, but he also worked in other fields such as journal…
A Man from the North
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
Richard Larch, a young man from the north of England, arrives in London to seek his fortune. By day he works as a clerk in an office but has…
Sacred and Profane Love
Read by Simon Evers
Arnold Bennett
Carlotta Peel is an unusual young woman – clever, self-opinionated, a brilliant author and yearning to love and be loved but also to serve h…
My Religion
Read by David Wales
Arnold Bennett, J. D. Beresford, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Henry Arthur Jones, Compton Mackenzie, E. Phillips Oppenheim, H. De Vere Stacpoole, Hugh Walpole, Rebecca West and Israel Zangwill
This 1926 collection of sixteen essays on religion by well-known people (mostly authors) in the early 20th century brings together articles …