A wickedly wry, tender new collection from one of our finest internationally acclaimed short story writers. Nine virtuoso stories that take up the preoccupations and fixations of time's passing and of middle age and that take us from today's London and Berlin to the wild west of the USA and the wilder shores of Mother Russia; stories finely balanced between devastation and optimism. In the title story, long-ago school pals take the London Underground to the end of the Piccadilly line--Cockfosters Station--to retrieve a lost pair of newly prescribed bifocals ("The worst thing about needing glasses is the bumbling," says Julie. "I've turned into a bumbler overnight. Me! I run marathons!"); each station stop prompting reflections on their shared past, present, and possible futures . . . In "Erewhon," a gender-role flip: after having sex with his wife, who has turned over and instantly fallen asleep, a man lies awake fretting about his body shape, his dissatisfaction with sex, his children, his role in the marriage . . . In "Kythera," lemon drizzle cake is a mother's ritual preparation for her (now grown) daughter's birthday as she conjures up memories of all the birthday cakes she has made for her, each one more poignant than the last; this new cake becoming a memento mori, an act of love, and a symbol of transformation ... And in "Berlin," a fiftysomething couple on a "Ring package" to Germany spend four evenings watching Wagner's epic, recalling their life together, reckoning with the husband's infidelity, the wife noting the similarity between their marriage and the Ring Cycle itself: "I'm glad I stuck it out but I'd never want to sit through it again."

Set against the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, While England Sleeps tells the story of a love affair between Brian Botsford, an upper-class young English writer, and Edward Phelan, an idealistic employee of the London Underground and member of the Communist Party. Though far better educated than Edward, Brian is also far more callow, convinced that his homosexuality is something he will outgrow. Edward, on the other hand, possesses “an unproblematic capacity to accept” both Brian and the unorthodox nature of their love for each other-until one day, at the urging of his wealthy aunt Constance, Brian agrees to be set up with a “suitable” young woman named Philippa Archibald . . . Pushed to the point of crisis, Edward flees, volunteering to fight Franco in Spain, where he ends up in prison. And Brian, feeling responsible for Edward's plight, must pursue him across Europe, and into the chaos of war.

Reproduction of the original.

This carefully crafted ebook: "ARNOLD BENNETT Ultimate Collection" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Novels: A Man from the North The Grand Babylon Hotel Anna of the Five Towns Leonora A Great Man Teresa of Watling Street Sacred and Profane Love Hugo The Ghost- A Modern Fantasy The City of Pleasure: A Fantasia on Modern Themes Buried Alive The Old Wives' Tale Clayhanger Denry the Audacious Helen with the High Hand The Card Hilda Lessways The Plain Man and His Wife The Regent: A Five Towns Story of Adventure in London The Price of Love From the log of the Velsa These Twain The Pretty Lady The Roll-Call The Lion's Share Mr.Prohack Lilian Riceyman Steps Short Stories Collections: Tales of the Five Towns The Grim Smile of the Five Towns The Matador of the Five Towns The Loot of Cities Mr. Penfound's Two Burglars Midnight at the Grand Babylon The Police Station The Adventure of the Prima Donna The Episode in Room 222 Saturday to Monday A Dinner at the Louvre Plays: What the Public Wants The Honeymoon The Great Adventure The Title Judith Non-Fiction: Journalism For Women The Truth about an Author How to Become an Author The Reasonable Life Literary Taste: How to Form It How to Live on 24 Hours a Day The Feast of St. Friend: A Christmas Book Mental Efficiency Those United States Friendship and Happiness Paris Nights and Other Impressions of Places and People The Author's Craft Over There: War Scenes on the Western Front Books and Persons: Selections from The New Age 1908-1911 Self and Self-Management Things That Have Interested Me The Human Machine

The stunning new Buckingham novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Anton Du Beke. September 1940. As the skies split apart and bombs rain down on London, it's all the staff at the famed Buckingham Hotel can do to keep their guests in the luxury they're accustomed to, and evoke the magic of the Grand ballroom for them each night. Home on leave and still reeling from the tragic events at Dunkirk, the dashing Raymond de Guise struggles to define his role in this new world, and to do his duty both to his country, and his beloved wife Nancy- who needs him now more than ever. With profiteers skulking the London streets, and devious rivals plotting the Buckingham's downfall, the hotel staff must all hold onto what matters most- and decide where their loyalties truly lie. As the bombing intensifies and Christmas fast approaches, somehow the show must go on...

This edition includes:: Novels: A Man from the North The Grand Babylon Hotel Anna of the Five Towns Leonora A Great Man Teresa of Watling Street Sacred and Profane Love Hugo The Ghost- A Modern Fantasy The City of Pleasure: A Fantasia on Modern Themes Buried Alive The Old Wives' Tale Clayhanger Denry the Audacious Helen with the High Hand The Card Hilda Lessways The Plain Man and His Wife The Regent: A Five Towns Story of Adventure in London The Price of Love From the log of the Velsa These Twain The Pretty Lady The Roll-Call The Lion's Share Mr.Prohack Lilian Riceyman Steps Elsie and the Child The Strange Vanguard Accident Imperial Palace Short Stories Collections: Tales of the Five Towns The Grim Smile of the Five Towns The Matador of the Five Towns The Woman who Stole Everything and Other Stories The Loot of Cities Mr. Penfound's Two Burglars Midnight at the Grand Babylon The Police Station The Adventure of the Prima Donna The Episode in Room 222 Saturday to Monday A Dinner at the Louvre Plays: What the Public Wants The Honeymoon The Great Adventure The Title Judith Non-Fiction: The Truth about an Author How to Become an Author The Reasonable Life Literary Taste: How to Form It How to Live on 24 Hours a Day The Feast of St. Friend: A Christmas Book Mental Efficiency Those United States Friendship and Happiness Paris Nights and Other Impressions of Places and People The Author's Craft Over There: War Scenes on the Western Front Books and Persons: Selections from The New Age 1908-1911 Self and Self-Management Things That Have Interested Me The Human Machine

The Complete Works of Arnold Bennett showcases the prolific and diverse writing of the renowned author. Known for his realistic portrayals of British industrial society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bennett's work often delves into the themes of class dynamics, ambition, and personal growth. His writing style combines keen observations with a straightforward narrative approach, making his novels both accessible and thought-provoking. Readers can expect a rich literary experience that captures the essence of the changing social landscape of the time. Arnold Bennett's own life experiences, growing up in the Potteries region of Staffordshire, England, greatly influenced his writing. His firsthand knowledge of the working-class struggles and aspirations permeates his work, adding depth and authenticity to his characters and their dilemmas. Bennett's ability to depict the human condition with empathy and insight sets his work apart in the literary canon. I highly recommend The Complete Works of Arnold Bennett to readers interested in exploring the complexities of British society during the Industrial Revolution. Bennett's timeless themes and engaging storytelling continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering valuable insights into the universal struggles of the human experience.