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Grim Smile Of The Five Towns

Grim Smile Of The Five Towns

By: Arnold Bennett
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 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 WalesCopyright Fiction Classics Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 015 - In A New Bottle

    015 - In A New Bottle
    Feb 20 2026
    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
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • 014 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 3

    014 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 3
    Feb 20 2026
    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
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 013 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 2

    013 - The Death Of Simon Fuge Part 2
    Feb 20 2026
    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
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
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