This ebook is a collection of 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. The books are set in Bennett's usual setting of "the 5 Towns", a thinly-disguised version of the six towns of "the Potteries" which amalgamated (at the time of which Bennett was writing) into the borough of Stoke-on-Trent. Buildings described in the novels are still identifiable in Burslem. The novels are a coming-of-age story set in the Midlands of Victorian England, following Edwin Clayhanger as he leaves school, takes over the family business, and falls in love. The second book was Hilda Lessways, which paralleled Edwin Clayhanger's story from the point of view of his eventual wife, Hilda. These Twain, the third in the Clayhanger series, chronicles the married life of Edwin and Hilda. Edwin, now released from the controlling influence of his father, finds himself free to run his business and his life, a freedom that is diminished by his wife's caprices. The fourth book, ''The Roll-Call'', concerns the young life of Clayhanger's stepson, George. George Edwin Cannon - he soon drops the surname Clayhanger, given to him upon his mother's marriage - is an architect, and represents what his stepfather Edwin Clayhanger wished to become. The characters of Edwin and Hilda are not developed further in this book: Edwin - now elevated to Alderman - appears only briefly. The central character displays an unattractive arrogance because of the wealth behind him.

The Complete Clayhanger Family Novels' constitutes Arnold Bennett's magnum opus, a literary endeavor that encapsulates the transformative period of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras through the lens of the Clayhanger family. With a mastery of realist narrative, Bennett employs a detailed observational style, intricately crafting his characters and the provincial backdrop of 'the 5 Towns'. The books chronicle the vicissitudes of Edwin Clayhanger's life, from the ambitions and stirrings of youth to the complexities of marriage and beyond. This composite edition, though dubbed a 'trilogy', is completed by 'The Roll-Call' – an introspective on the aspirations and arrogance of youth, offering a nuanced character study within the continuity of a family saga. Arnold Bennett, a novelist entrenched in the representation of middle-English life, was profoundly influenced by the industrial landscape of his upbringing in Staffordshire, which is reflected in the painstakingly accurate depiction of the locales in his novels. Bennett's own experiences in the world of business, journalism, and literature suffuse the narrative with authenticity, revealing the conflict between personal desire and societal expectations, a theme that resonates powerfully across the series. Bennett's chronicle is a testament to the microcosmic representation of the impact of industrial progression on individual dreams, family dynamics, and evolving social norms. For aficionados of classic English literature, Bennett's saga is an essential read, providing an immersion into the textured tapestry of early 20th-century middle-class Britain. With Bennett's compassionate portrayal of characters grappling with the tide of change and the introspective exploration of humankind's eternal themes, 'The Complete Clayhanger Family Novels' is more than a collection of sequenced narratives—it's a compelling witness to the potency of human perseverance and adaptation through time. Scholars and enthusiasts alike will find value in the meticulous period detail and the enduring resonance of Bennett's insightful prose.

Written by a team of more than 150 contributors working under the direction of Dinah Birch, and ranging in influence from Homer to the Mahabharata, this guide provides the reader with a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of English literature.