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 4.4
"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 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,…

Anna of the Five Towns

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 4.3
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 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…

The Feast of St. Friend

Read by Ruth Golding 4.7
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

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 4.2
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 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 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.…

Leonora

Read by Simon Evers 3.1
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 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…

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…

The Grim Smile Of The Five Towns

Read by David Wales 4.7
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 4
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

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 4.4
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 4.8
Thirteen short stories (1924) by a master story teller of the early twentieth century. His writings, fiction and nonfiction, were popular wi…

A Man from the North

Read by Simon Evers 4.3
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…

Your United States: Impressions Of A First Visit

Read by David Wales 4.4
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…

Arnold Bennett The Grand Babylon Hotel

4.8
The Grand Babylon Hotel is a classic novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in January 1902. This thrilling adaptation brings to life the …

Arnold Bennett Buried Alive

Read by John Rowe 4.6
Buried Alive is a dramatization of Arnold Bennett’s 1912 novel, adapted by James Duckett. This charming and witty satire tells the story of …

Sacred and Profane Love

Read by Simon Evers 4.7
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…

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