Showing results by author "Arnold Bennett" in All Categories

Helen Rathbone meets her elderly uncle, James Ollerenshaw, in Bursley Park, after an estrangement of several years. Both are very strong-willed, independent characters. Helen has an extravagant lifestyle and likes to spend money while the old man has lived a thrifty life and intends to continue in the same way. However, they develop a friendship which progresses rapidly, and Helen moves in to James' house to look after him.

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...

Immerse yourself in The Old Wives Tale, a timeless novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. This captivating story follows the contrasting lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, as they navigate their journey from youth spent in their mother’s drapers shop to the complexities of old age. Spanning approximately 70 years from 1840 to 1905, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Burslem and Paris, showcasing Bennetts masterful storytelling. Regarded as one of his finest works, this tale beautifully explores themes of family, resilience, and the passage of time. (...

‘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...

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)

"These Twain" (1916) is the third book in the Clayhanger trilogy, and chronicles the married life of Edwin and Hilda. Edwin, now released from the controlling influence of his father, finds himself free to run his business and his life, a freedom that is diminished by his wife's caprices. She does not conform to the period’s stereotype of a submissive wife - which is, of course, partly why Edwin married her.

Denry Machin is now in his forties and begins to feel that he is getting old, that making money and a happy home life are not enough for him and that he has lost his touch as the entrepreneur and entertainer of the 'Five Towns'.

When local musical prodigy, Gilbert Swann, is selected to play the violoncello with the visiting London orchestra during the musical festival in the five towns, his mother is convinced that he will be the cornerstone of the entire event. When local dignitary Mrs. Clayton-Vernon invites Gilbert to dinner before the concert with her cousin, the famous conductor from London, she sees this as recognition of his musical genius. A sudden cold snap on the day, however, makes Mrs. Swann fearful that Gilbert's hands will get cold on the journey from Mrs. Clayton-Vernon's house to the concert.

You have to live on twenty-four hours of daily time. Out of it you have to spin health, pleasure, money, content, respect, and the evolution of your immortal soul. This timeless classic is one of the first self-help books ever written and was a best-seller in both England and America. It remains as useful today as when it was written, and offers fresh and practical advice on how to make the most of the daily miracle of life.

The book, written by Arnold Bennett in 1910, is part of a larger work entitled "How to Live". In this volume, he offers practical advice on how one might live (as opposed to just existing) within the confines of 24 hours a day. The book includes the following chapters: The Daily Miracle, The Desire to Exceed One's Programme, Precautions before Beginning, The Cause of the Trouble, Tennis and the Immortal Soul, Remember Human Nature, Controlling the Mind, The Reflective Mood, Interest in the Arts, Nothing in Life is Humdrum, Serious Reading, Dangers to Avoid.

Spanning nearly half a century, The Old Wives Tale is epic in scale and scope, tracing as it does the effects of time on two sisters and their surroundings. The novel is a domestic story told with tenderness, and is concerned not with heroic statesmen or soldiers, but with small details of daily life in a way which demonstrates Bennett’s great debt to French realist writers. The action is concentrated mainly within the provincial town of Bursley, a startling contrast to Paris where Sophia and Gerald elope.

"The Card" is a comic novel by Arnold Bennett, published in 1911. Like much of Bennett's best work, it is set in the Potteries District of Staffordshire. It chronicles the rise of Edward Henry ("Denry") Machin from washerwoman's son to Mayor of Bursley (a fictitious town based on Burslem). This is accomplished through luck, initiative and a fair bit of guts!

"The Card" is a comic novel written by Arnold Bennett. Like many of Bennett's best works, it is set in the Potteries District of Staffordshire. It chronicles the rise of Edward Henry ("Denry") Machin from washerwoman's son to Mayor of Bursley (a fictitious town based on Burslem).

Are you really 'living', or just existing? Do you want to improve yourself or just continue to muddle through? Do you use the time given you each day, or just throw most of it away? These questions Bennett asks each of us and for those who want to really live and learn, offers very valuable advice. Time is the most precious of commodities, states Bennett in this book. Many books have been written on how to live on a certain amount of money each day. And he added that the old adage "time is money" understates the matter, as time can often produce money, but money cannot produce more time.

Published in 1930, the year before Bennett's death, this novel follows the daily workings of a hotel modelled on the Savoy Hotel in London. The central character, Evelyn Orcham, is the director of the hotel. Also included is a recording of James Hilton talking about Arnold Bennett.

In the second installment of Bennetts captivating series set in the Five Towns—reflecting the real-life Potteries of Staffordshire—Hilda Lessways delves into the life of Hilda before her marriage to Edwin Clayhanger, a character introduced in the first book. This richly woven narrative follows Hildas journey as she strives for independence and navigates her professional life as a shorthand clerk and a lodging house keeper in bustling London and vibrant Brighton. As her relationship with the enigmatic George Cannon deepens, Hilda faces the tumultuous consequences of a bigamous marriage and ...

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 ...

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 ...

Dive into Elsie And The Child, a captivating collection of thirteen short stories from 1924 by a master storyteller of the early twentieth century. Renowned for his engaging fiction and nonfiction, the author won the hearts of many. Following his contributions to the WWI war effort, he graciously declined the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Enjoy a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect the eras spirit, beautifully narrated by David Wales.

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 ...