Anna of the Five Towns
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Review
In the Bennett novels which at their finest stand up to anything Europe has put out the artist towers above the man of ideas --Elizabeth Bowen
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
Set in stifled industrial Staffordshire in the late nineteenth century against a strong evangelical background "Anna of the Five Towns" tells of the courting of hard businessman Ephraim Tellright's daughter by prosperous and accomplished Henry Mynors.
As her father's fortune grows so does Anna's understanding. She realises her legacy and responsibility for the possible ruination of her father's tenants Titus Price and his son Willie, who also loves her.
Mynors is soon in partnership with Tellright. Will Anna defy the miserly Ephraim, offend Mynors, with their marriage imminent, and help the unfortunate Prices or subdue her instincts and resign herself to the way of business?
As her father's fortune grows so does Anna's understanding. She realises her legacy and responsibility for the possible ruination of her father's tenants Titus Price and his son Willie, who also loves her.
Mynors is soon in partnership with Tellright. Will Anna defy the miserly Ephraim, offend Mynors, with their marriage imminent, and help the unfortunate Prices or subdue her instincts and resign herself to the way of business?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First, a confession - I think Bennett is one of the most important writers in the English language - to be ranked with Dickens, Bronte, Austin and, possibly even Eliot. I have yet to read a book of his that I would not recommend unreservedly to anyone with the slightest interest in humanity. So, why only four stars for Anna of the Five Towns? Simple, I reserve five stars for the very greatest books, like the fantastic poetry and imagery of the King James Bible, for example.
Now to the book. This is a tale of an extraordinary woman, who survived the most peculiar upbringing imaginable, a fabulous legacy, and life in what is now Stoke-on-Trent in the late 1800s, by doing what is right. It has a remarkable ending! Like all Bennett, the characterisation is immensely strong and captivating, the scene-setting precise, detailed, and immaculate, and what has become the all-important plot - virtually non-existent. You see, Bennett let's life tell his tales; relying on the characterisation, mood, some considerable wit, and total mastery of English idioms to sell his product. So, without spoiling the story, I can tell you that Anna gets the man, social success, and loads of money. But, don't let that put you off!
Those who complain that the pace is slow don't understand literature. A story does not have to race along from one most unlikely coincidence to another. Sometimes, the artistry of the writer is sufficient reason for reading; his exploration of character, reaction to the most ordinary events, and sheer emotional power. Also, to complain of archaic use of language is bizarre. This was written over 100 years ago. I'm sorry the writer lacked the prescience needed to use 21st century idioms, but nobody's perfect!
Now to the book. This is a tale of an extraordinary woman, who survived the most peculiar upbringing imaginable, a fabulous legacy, and life in what is now Stoke-on-Trent in the late 1800s, by doing what is right. It has a remarkable ending! Like all Bennett, the characterisation is immensely strong and captivating, the scene-setting precise, detailed, and immaculate, and what has become the all-important plot - virtually non-existent. You see, Bennett let's life tell his tales; relying on the characterisation, mood, some considerable wit, and total mastery of English idioms to sell his product. So, without spoiling the story, I can tell you that Anna gets the man, social success, and loads of money. But, don't let that put you off!
Those who complain that the pace is slow don't understand literature. A story does not have to race along from one most unlikely coincidence to another. Sometimes, the artistry of the writer is sufficient reason for reading; his exploration of character, reaction to the most ordinary events, and sheer emotional power. Also, to complain of archaic use of language is bizarre. This was written over 100 years ago. I'm sorry the writer lacked the prescience needed to use 21st century idioms, but nobody's perfect!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the second of Bennett's novels that I have read, both of which are tragic and somewhat pedestrian. Despite this I find them strangely appealing.
Bennett writes about the social history of the Staffordshire pottery towns he knows with great sympathy and an eye for detail. The quarrels of social status and church, business and morality, men and women are all depicted meticulously. The story arc, particularly here, seems secondary to the need to show us the daily reality of people's lives.
Anna is a young woman struggling to find her own life and voice within the confines of a small town, pitted against a dictatorial church and a miserly father. Marriage is her only way out and she is pushed into a match which shows her struggle between duty and misplaced passion.
Bennett, like Dickens documents social inequalities, but unlike Dickens he often portrays the mindset and struggles of young women, which is interesting and illuminating.
Bennett writes about the social history of the Staffordshire pottery towns he knows with great sympathy and an eye for detail. The quarrels of social status and church, business and morality, men and women are all depicted meticulously. The story arc, particularly here, seems secondary to the need to show us the daily reality of people's lives.
Anna is a young woman struggling to find her own life and voice within the confines of a small town, pitted against a dictatorial church and a miserly father. Marriage is her only way out and she is pushed into a match which shows her struggle between duty and misplaced passion.
Bennett, like Dickens documents social inequalities, but unlike Dickens he often portrays the mindset and struggles of young women, which is interesting and illuminating.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like other reviewers, I didn't expect that much from this book. I only bought it because Bennett's work was praised in BBC4's Edwardian series. I found it truly absorbing. The ending lingers with me and I'll remember the characters for a long time. It's the first Arnold Bennett book I've read and I'll definitely search out some more of his work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Maggie T
I live in the potteries area and have never read any Arnold Bennett. Since having my Kindle for Christmas, it's so easy to decide to buy a book and in seconds you start reading. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Maggie T
Fabulous book
I loved this book, and wondered why I had never read any Arnold Bennet until now. The vivid descriptions and the unforeseen outcomes made it a delightful read ... and it was free!
Published 1 month ago by Merel's Grandma
Bringing The Potteries To Life
Excellent. Arnold Bennett has such a wonderful way of capturing the way people think and speak - or rather as they thought and spoke 100 ago. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Vic Heaney
Good book for quick read.
Having purchased this for my English course, I was pleased to find it was a manageable length, not too too long. Read more
Published 6 months ago by CJ
book review
Book arrived promptly and in the condition described. I liked the fact that I was buying a product which would help the charity Oxfam too.
Published 7 months ago by Wendy Taylor
Read, savour and be moved
Like another reviewer, I consider Bennett to be one of the finest authors in the English language. Given that he was writing over 100 year ago, the language is naturally dated -... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Shivari
Classic Bennett
This is an easy read. It is beautifully written and tells the story of Anna who is dominated by her father and eventually breaks away. Read more
Published 17 months ago by James I. Wilson
Superb
I don't know how people can give this just 3 stars - it is a classic, rivalling Dickens at his best. The descriptions of people and places are masterful. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Andrew
A tale of the Potteries
Arnold Bennett was one of the major chroniclers of the Five Towns (there are in fact six). This simple tale explores issues of class and gender in the Potteries at the turn of the... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Mrs. Kathleen Talbot
Very dry but strangely absorbing and memorable
This is a tightly knit story of the destructive forces of evangelism and industrial expansion in a small community. Read more
Published on 7 July 2009 by Script Angel
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