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.
Product Description
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read!,
By
This review is from: Anna of the Five Towns (Penguin Modern Classics) (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!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Real life 100 years ago,
By The Man in Grey (Ely) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Anna of the Five Towns (Penguin Modern Classics) (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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The struggle of a woman to express herself,
By Mrs. K. A. Wheatley "katywheatley" (Leicester, UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Anna of the Five Towns (Penguin Modern Classics) (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.
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