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Anna of the Five Towns
Arnold Bennett Manufacturer: Boomer Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback  Classics
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ASIN: 1434100308 |
Book Description
Anna, a woman of reserve and integrity, lives with her tyrannical and selfish father. Courted for her money by the handsome and successful Henry Mynors, Anna defies her father\'s wrath--with tragic results. Set in the Potteries against a background of dour Wesleyan Methodism, Anna of the Five Towns is a brilliantly perceptive novel of provincial life in Victorian England. This publication from Boomer Books is specially designed and typeset for comfortable reading.Download Description
Anna turned away in silence. 'I shall come up for tea, if I may,' Henry said, and then they parted, he to the singing-seat, she to the portico of the chapel. People were talking in groups on the broad steps and in the vestibule. All knew of the calamity, and had received from it a new interest in life. The town was aroused as if from a lethargy. Consternation and eager curiosity were on every face. Those who arrived in ignorance of the event were informed of it in impressive tones, and with intense satisfaction to the informer; nothing of equal importance had happened in the society for decades.Customer Reviews:
The crushing of Anna Tellwright.......2005-02-23
Avarice and the Bible.......2003-10-16
I thought that "Anna of the Five Towns" was every bit as good as Balzac's novel, and was better than either of Bennett's earlier works such as "A Man from the North" and the truly appalling "Grand Babylon Hotel", although it's not quite as accomplished as "Clayhanger", for example.
In this novel, Bennett seemed to be fascinated with the juxtaposition of religious fervour and avarice. The wealthy inhabitants of the Shropshire industrial town in which "Anna" is set seem to be as fervent in their Methodist revivalism as they are in their pursuit of lucre - this is a far cry from self-denying simple Christianity. Religion seems nothing more than a social item, a badge to wear. Bennett snipes at the hypocrisy of it all. Perhaps it can be argued that Bennett, and indeed Balzac much earlier, were on to a theme which has been taken up by more recent novelists - the usurpation of moral codes by the ruthless pursuit of individual monetary gain.
This is epitomised in "Anna" by her father, who counts his contribution to the local Methodist church purely in terms of his running of its finances. His behaviour towards both his children and his debtors (such as the Prices) demonstrate that Christianity's more humane or charitable precepts have barely registered with him. In contrast to the workers in the potteries, he is a "rentier", content to shuffle money around and live off the proceeds without actually producing anything - again Bennett seemed to view this type of capitalist as repugnant, even parasitic.
"Anna" is in its way a great feminist tract - the men are totally in charge, leaving women's lives deperately limited and unfulfilling. Even when Anna inherits a substantial amount of money, we know that she will benefit very little from it, as her father and her future husband will in turn both control what actually happens to it.
A poignant and interesting early twentieth century novel with much to say about social and economic issues. The sudden ending left me a bit disappointed, but nonetheless, it's a compelling read.
G Rodgers
The Unsuppressing of Anna.......2000-10-09
Frequently, reviewers note the Methodism in this novel -- it does give a look at the everyday lives of Methodism when it was much more controversial (!) than it is today, if it ever was particularly revolutionary in America. I was more struck by the personal circumstances of Anna's plight than her religious questionings, although the latter are definitely imposed on her character by the author.
An interesting attempt by a male author to describe a woman suppressed by her domineering father, by strict moral and religious conventions, and by her own personality.
Anna of the Five Towns--Bennett's First "Serious" Novel.......2000-04-26
Set in the early 1900's, Bennett succeeds in evoking a strong sense of place with his fictionalized Five Towns of the Staffordshire Potteries. Critics have praised his full description of Methodism and Methodist church life of the time, as well. Bennett conveys sympathy for his protagonist and portrays the limitations placed on her for her gender without falling into condescension, concluding, "She had sucked in with her mother's milk the profound truth that a woman's life is always a renunciation, greater or less."
Anna's attempts to expand herself spiritually and personally, and to gain a sense of personal efficacy, make for an interesting read. However, Bennett violates flagrantly the old writer's adage, "Show not tell," as when we are told repeatedly Anna's father is a miser and a tyrant long before we see him saying or doing anything miserly or tyrannical. Further, anyone looking for an intensely psychological novel with thoughts portrayed as stream of consciousness should be aware that Bennett's style descends from a Realist tradition.
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Anna of the Five Towns
Bennett ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000HAMU6A |
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ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS
ARNOLD BENNETT Manufacturer: PENGUIN ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000S5GT4I |
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ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS
ARNOLD BENNETT Manufacturer: METHUEN ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000SFC0VO |
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Anna of the Five Towns
Arnold Bennett Manufacturer: Pan Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Mass Market Paperback ASIN: B000LB3VA4 |
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Anna of the Five Towns. Penguin Fiction No 32
Arnold Bennett Manufacturer: Penguin ProductGroup: Book Binding: Unknown Binding ASIN: B0000CIUSA |
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Anna of The Five Towns
Arnold Bennett Manufacturer: Methuen & Company ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000LCC4LK |
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Anna of the Five Towns
Arnold/ Harris, Margaret (Edt)/ Harris, Margaret Bennett Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000OJXFA4 |
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ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS (MODERN CLASSICS S.)
ARNOLD BENNETT Manufacturer: PENGUIN BOOKS LTD ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000S9NC3U |
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ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS
ARNOLD BENNETT Manufacturer: PENGUIN ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000SINYN4 |
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