Arnold Bennet

I used to be a fan of Arnold Bennett - who was a very popular novelist in the earlier part of the 20th century. One of his major works was set in the Potteries towns, in the Midlands. Edwin Clayhanger is the son of a businessman, Darius, who has a large printing firm. Darius came up from poverty and he expects his son to go into the business. He is the only son. There are 2 daughters. Edwin wants to be an architecht, but he does not have the strength of character to fight against his father. He ends up going into the business and looking after his father as the old man declines. He is friendly with the Orgreaves, a neighbouring family who are more liberal minded but he still can't break free of his own family. Through them, he meets Hilda Lessways an unusual girl who wants independence. She trains as a shorthand writer. Edwin falls in love with her but he finds her hard to understand. More follows.