samanthawattam's review
5.0
"At two o'clock she had been a name to him. At five minutes past two he was in love with her."
Arnold Bennett is proof that you don't have to have secret agents, vampires, et al to create an exciting story sometimes all you need is good and interesting characters to care about with flaws like we all have. It had me gripped I wanted to know about Edward Henry 'Denry' Machin an ambitious opportunist - a man practised in the art of taking advantage of the main chance. I wasn't at all sure that I liked him but he slowly won me over when I began to see his many good points mixed in. Denry is a clerk including collecting rents for his employer he ceases a chance to attend a ball and from there capitulates on events as they arise leading to a social rise in his fortunes.
What I love about Bennett's stories written over 100 years ago is that he creates such strong female characters who are often more confident and self-possessed than the men. Denry has to contend with his formidable mother and trouble in his love life which causes him much vexation. At times the language both in style and vocabulary is archaic but in no way did this hinder my understanding and flow of the story but adds to the charm, humour and atmosphere. The story is set in the Potteries, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire area but the names of the towns are changed.
If you like Arnold Bennett note that many of his best stories are available on Amazon for FREE as they are out of copyright now.
Arnold Bennett is proof that you don't have to have secret agents, vampires, et al to create an exciting story sometimes all you need is good and interesting characters to care about with flaws like we all have. It had me gripped I wanted to know about Edward Henry 'Denry' Machin an ambitious opportunist - a man practised in the art of taking advantage of the main chance. I wasn't at all sure that I liked him but he slowly won me over when I began to see his many good points mixed in. Denry is a clerk including collecting rents for his employer he ceases a chance to attend a ball and from there capitulates on events as they arise leading to a social rise in his fortunes.
What I love about Bennett's stories written over 100 years ago is that he creates such strong female characters who are often more confident and self-possessed than the men. Denry has to contend with his formidable mother and trouble in his love life which causes him much vexation. At times the language both in style and vocabulary is archaic but in no way did this hinder my understanding and flow of the story but adds to the charm, humour and atmosphere. The story is set in the Potteries, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire area but the names of the towns are changed.
If you like Arnold Bennett note that many of his best stories are available on Amazon for FREE as they are out of copyright now.
tolkientalker's review
4.0
Pleasantly surprised by this one. I started it years ago then stopped (not out of boredom but I was distracted by another book). Yet one rainy day on a whim, I started it again. I was not disappointing. There is a lovely charm to this tale. Subtle but cunning humor, quaint mini-ventures in each episode...relaxing but not boring. Perfect for a cup of tea.
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