Grim Smile Of The Five Towns

By Arnold Bennett

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Category: Books

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Episodes: 15

Description

Step into the world of Arnold Bennetts The Grim Smile of the Five Towns, a captivating collection of stories published in 1907. This is Bennetts second major anthology, following the acclaimed Tales Of The Five Towns from 1905 (available at Librivox). Set against the backdrop of Stoke-on-Trent, where much of Bennetts finest work unfolds, these stories reveal the authors signature dry wit that belies the grim in the title. Critics have come to appreciate the collections standout tale, Simon Fuge, with Margaret Drabble hailing it as one of the greatest short stories in the English language. John Wain praises it for its depth, suggesting it conveys as much as a hundred-thousand-word novel on its theme, calling it the best thing that Arnold Bennett ever did. Join us as we explore the rich narratives that define this remarkable work. - Summary by David Wales

Episode Date
015 - In A New Bottle
Feb 20, 2026
014 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 3
Feb 20, 2026
013 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 2
Feb 20, 2026
012 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 1
Feb 20, 2026
011 - From One Generation To Another
Feb 20, 2026
010 - Beginning The New Year
Feb 20, 2026
009 - News Of The Engagement
Feb 20, 2026
008 - The Burglary
Feb 20, 2026
007 - Vera's Second Christmas Adventure
Feb 20, 2026
006 - The Murder Of The Mandarin
Feb 20, 2026
005 - Vera's First Christmas Adventure
Feb 20, 2026
004 - The Nineteenth Hat
Feb 20, 2026
003 - The Silent Brothers
Feb 20, 2026
002 - Baby's Bath
Feb 20, 2026
001 - The Lion's Share
Feb 20, 2026