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Regarded as one of Arnold Bennett's finest works, The Old Wives' Tale was first published in 1908. It tells the story of sisters Constance and Sophia Baines, both very different from one another, and follows their lives from youth into old age. Bennett's inspiration was an encounter in a Parisian restaurant: "an old woman came into the restaurant to dine. She was fat, shapeless, ugly, and grotesque. She had a ridiculous voice, and ridiculous
...This stirring coming-of-age story recounts the childhood and youth of the eponymous protagonist, Hilda Lessways, who would eventually grow up to marry Edwin Clayhanger, the scion of a wealthy and powerful family in the Potteries district of the Midlands region in England. This is the second in a series of novels that depict the lives of the members of the Clayhanger family.
6) Leonora
Though originally published more than a century ago, Arnold Bennett's novel Leonora is brimming with nuanced insights about the true nature of marriage that still resonate today. The eponymous heroine is the wife of a prominent and wealthy manufacturing titan who enjoys the trappings of his success. But when a figure from his past reappears, Leonora begins to question everything she once believed to be true about her husband and their relationship.
...What happens when a man who has everything falls desperately in love with a lowly shopgirl? That's the conundrum at the center of Arnold Bennett's novel Hugo. The eponymous protagonist is a titan of industry who is used to living a life of luxury and getting everything he wants—until Camilla rebuffs his advances. Throw in some creepy elements of Gothic horror, and it's an all-around engaging read.
Part of his multi-generational epic, the Clayhanger Family series, Arnold Bennett's novel The Roll-Call focuses on one of the youngest members of the family, George Cannon. Despite his forebears' hard work, George is spoiled and entitled, and his increasingly demanding manner puts a strain on the family as it struggles to make it through the war.
10) These Twain
This engaging tale of a passionate love affair marked a sharp departure in the literary career of author Arnold Bennett, one which piqued the interest of fans and elicited the ire of some critics. Sacred and Profane Love follows the evolution of a lifelong bond between Carlotta and Diaz, beginning with their first encounter and ending with a final reunion years later. It's a fascinating glimpse into the sparks that can fly when two creative
...13) The Lion's Share
Audrey's youth has been a privileged one, but the thing she wants more than anything else—freedom—has remained out of her reach. When her father succumbs to an accident, she decides to seize the day and make the most of her sudden shift in circumstances. But will her wonderment with the wider world cloud her judgment?
Set against the backdrop of World War I, this play is a rollicking send-up of Britain's class system and its growing absurdity in the heady period of democratization that began to transpire in the early twentieth century. When mild-mannered protagonist Culver finds out that he is entitled to a formal honor (i.e., a title), he begins to reconsider the age-old hierarchy and all that it entails.
16) Mr. Prohack
Need a good laugh? Immerse yourself in this delightfully dark tale from Arnold Bennett. Buried Alive recounts the trials and triumphs of one Priam Farll, a world-famous artist who is deeply uncomfortable with his own fame and whose crippling shyness makes it difficult to navigate. Fed up with his unsatisfying existence, Priam comes up with a highly unusual solution. Will he be able to pull off this far-fetched scheme?
20) Lilian
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