This collection is a series of novels by Arnold Bennett, published between 1910 and 1918. Though the series is commonly referred to as a "trilogy", it actually consists of four books; the first three novels were released in one single volume as The Clayhanger Family in 1925. Edwin Clayhanger is the central figure in this portrayal of Victorian lower-middle-class society. As a shy young man, Edwin is bullied by his father, Darius, but he succeeds in developing his interests in spite of a restrictive environment. One of Edwin's interests is Hilda Lessways, a young woman from Staffordshire. Hilda proves to be independent and enigmatic, while Edwin proves that there are many ways to view love. Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867—1931), British novelist, playwright, critic, and essayist whose major works form an important link between the English novel and the mainstream of European realism. He also worked in other fields such as journalism, propaganda and film.

Hilda Lessways is impoverished but exotic young woman who marries Edwin Clayhanger, a wealthy successor of family business. The novel parallels Edwin Clayhanger's story from the point of view of his eventual wife, Hilda, by telling the story of her coming of age, her working experiences as a shorthand clerk and as a keeper of lodging houses in London and Brighton, her relationship with George Cannon, which ends in her disastrous bigamous marriage and pregnancy, and her reconciliation with Edwin Clayhanger.

The 'Harvard Classics: The Shelf of Fiction - Complete Edition: Vol.1-20' stands as a monumental contribution to the canon of world literature, carefully curated to include an array of monumental works that span diverse cultures, literary styles, and historical periods. This collection showcases the rich tapestry of human experience and imagination, encapsulating the essence of storytelling from the romantic to the realist, the tragic to the comedic. Through its inclusion of masterpieces by luminaries such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy, alongside the poignant narratives of Edgar Allan Poe and the satirical insights of Mark Twain, this anthology highlights the multifaceted nature of literary expression, underscoring themes of love, conflict, society, and the human condition. The anthology's range and depth offer a unique lens through which the evolution of the novel and the short story can be appreciated, bridging cultural and linguistic divides to celebrate the universality of storytelling. The contributing authors and editors, heralding from various corners of the globe, bring with them their unique cultural, historical, and socio-political contexts, enriching the collection's thematic landscape. This assembly of writers not only reflects significant movements within the literature of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuriesincluding Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalismbut also highlights the personal trajectories and philosophies of the authors themselves. Their collective works delve into the complexities of human nature, offering insights that remain profoundly relevant. Their diverse origins and the historical epochs they represent contribute to a rich dialogue within the collection, showcasing the universal and enduring nature of literature across time and geography. 'Harvard Classics: The Shelf of Fiction - Complete Edition: Vol.1-20' represents a scholarly endeavor of unprecedented scope, inviting readers to embark on a literary journey that transcends conventional boundaries. This anthology not only serves as an invaluable resource for students and aficionados of literature but also appeals to anyone with an interest in the exploration of human experience through the prism of fiction. The collection promises an enlightening voyage through the minds of some of the finest authors in history, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the myriad voices, styles, and themes that have shaped the literary landscape across centuries. Whether one seeks to deepen their understanding of literary movements, explore the philosophical underpinnings of different cultures, or simply enjoy the art of storytelling, this anthology provides an indispensable gateway to the world of classic literature.

This carefully crafted ebook: "Clayhanger (Unabridged)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. This ebook is a series of novels by Arnold Bennett, published between 1910 and 1918. Though the series is commonly referred to as a "trilogy", it actually consists of four books; the first three novels were released in one single volume as The Clayhanger Family in 1925. Edwin Clayhanger is the central figure in this portrayal of Victorian lower-middle-class society. As a shy young man, Edwin is bullied by his father, Darius, but he succeeds in developing his interests in spite of a restrictive environment. One of Edwin's interests is Hilda Lessways, a young woman from Staffordshire. Hilda proves to be independent and enigmatic, while Edwin proves that there are many ways to view love. Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867—1931), British novelist, playwright, critic, and essayist whose major works form an important link between the English novel and the mainstream of European realism. He also worked in other fields such as journalism, propaganda and film.

Make Way For Lucia, also known as Mapp and Lucia, is a collective name for a series of novels by E. F. Benson about Emmeline "Lucia" Lucas and Elizabeth Mapp. The novels feature humorous incidents in the lives of (mainly) upper-middle-class British people in the 1920s and 1930s, vying for social prestige and one-upmanship in an atmosphere of extreme cultural snobbery. Several of them are set in the small seaside town of Tilling, closely based on Rye, East Sussex, where Benson lived for a number of years and served as mayor. Contents: Queen Lucia Miss Mapp Lucia in London Mapp and Lucia Lucia's Progress or The Worshipful Lucia Trouble for Lucia The Male Impersonator Desirable Residences Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer, known professionally as E.F. Benson. He started his novel writing career in 1893 with the fashionably controversial Dodo, which was an instant success, and followed it with a variety of satire and romantic and supernatural melodrama. He repeated the success of Dodo, with sequels to this novel, but the greatest success came relatively late in his career with The Mapp and Lucia series consisting of six novels and two short stories. Benson was also known as a writer of atmospheric, oblique, and at times humorous or satirical ghost stories.

First published in 1907, The Ghost was the first of many "fantasias on modern times" written by Arnold Bennett. These illustrated his ability to produce not only realistic novels, perfected in his portrayals of provincial English life set in the Staffordshire scenery of his childhood, but also more sensational stories, written after his move to London where he developed a far more cosmopolitan interest. A supernatural story, The Ghost tells the tale of a beautiful opera star, Rosetta Rosa, whose beauty seems to cast a spell upon all those who meet her. When Carl Foster, a young doctor, sees Rosa at a London opera, and is instantly captivated, he soon finds himself plagued by mysterious happenings, and begins to see a malignant, spectral figure everywhere he turns. When another man enraptured by Rosa mysteriously dies, Carl begins to wonder whether loving her could bring with it a deadly curse. Moving between London and Paris, this fast-paced story draws the reader into a ghostly world of twists, turns, drama, and suspense.

Reproduction of the original: The Grim Smile of the Five Towns by Arnold Bennett