Arnold Bennett novelist - longer version

[@dabedwards]

In my retirement, I have been reading many of the classics I failed to read when young, and have been quite bowled over by Bennett. I am now working my way through the canon, and look forward to reading The Old Wives' Tale for the second time. I did manage to read some Virginia Woolf when young, without much pleasure, but I am resolved to try again. But my intention is somewhat hampered by the devastating radio lampoon "Gloomsbury" by Sue Limb, which may be as unfair an attack on her as hers was on Bennett! Thank you so much for this fragment. The documentary does not appear to have been published (not available on Amazon), and I would love to see the rest.

[@MrTBrearley]

Adrian - glad you enjoyed this. I still hope that I might be able to finish it one day! In a mirror image, I've been reading Woolf! Best Tim

[@marymary5494]

I’ve only recently became aware of Arnold Bennett and thanks to KZbin I’m listening to all his novels that are available here.

[@carolinebarnes6832]

I just finished watching on youtube for the first time the Clayhanger series. I don't remember being as deeply moved by any series before, and I am 70 years old! I immediately went back to the beginning and started again, another first. Peter Mcenery's portrayal of a young man beaten down by an overbearing father i can only describe as exquisite and brilliant. The whole thing is so true to life and at the same time larger than life. And can it be that this is Peter Mcenery again doing a marvellous portrayal of Arnold Bennet himself?

[@MrTBrearley]

It is Peter, Caroline. Lovely to meet him after admiring him in the series back in '74 when I was a teenager. I think you also asked about part two? It's a long story! feel free to drop me a line on [e-mail] and I'll explain. All best, and thanks for watching

[@ria1636]

Just watched the great ATV drama Clayhanger and the death bed scene described by Margaret Drabble was brilliantly and movingly acted by Harry Andrews. I'll definitely re-read Arnold Bennett and the books I haven't. Thanks.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

A great work of literature . Almost completely forgotten . In no small measure thanks to the revolting snobbery of Virginia Woolf and her Bloomsbury Set - so beloved of the BBC and the cultural establishment today .

[@MrTBrearley]

I couldn't agree more - but then I guess I'm biased! The irony is that he's a far more subtle writer than the deadly label "realist" would suggest. Auden's literary exector, Edward Mendelson, wrote a brilliant introduction to the late novel, "Riceyman Steps', pointing out that Bennett had managed to write a brilliant masterpiece that beat the Modernists at their own game. I'm still hoping that I might get a broadcaster to take on the project and bring him to a wider audience. Glad that it interested you. Tim

[@ria1636]

I always thought Virginia Woolf was an awful snob after reading biographies on her. Thanks for confirming.

[@efnysienjones2613]

Cancel culture's nothing new then. Enjoyed the film. Great writer!

[@samsonbekele8976]

I miss one of his works and the savoy omelette !❤

[@vinm300]

1:00 "The comical old woman" Our neighbourhood had such an old lady, incongruously attired. One sunny morning I was picking roadside blackberries, when the old lady stopped and reminisced about picking blackberries as a girl by a family caravan near Skipton. I showed an interest and she elaborated for a few minutes, then wished me luck with my pie and walked off. I thought about the Elvis Costello song 'Veronica', and might have sung a misremembered verse.

[@MrTBrearley]

What a moving story - thank you for sharing that. It's absolutely what Bennett describes.

[@TheBlueTheMan]

I would love to watch more of this if it all possible

[@MrTBrearley]

I would love to MAKE more of it, if at all possible! It was quite a saga putting it all together over the months and years and we could never quite make it over the line to get a formal commission or other financial backing. Frustrating! Thanks so much for watching and commenting,

[@TheBlueTheMan]

I would be very happy to financially contribute towards this project

[@marichristian]

"The Old Wives Tale" was recommended to me by a lady whose literary tastes I admire. After reading the novel, I'm afraid I didn't share her taste in Arnold Bennett.If Bennett aspired to emulate or perhaps surpass the French realists, I'm afraid he failed with his plodding provincial tale. If the reader wants to know what it was like to live through the siege of Paris, better to read Flaubert's "A Sentimental Education". After the first few chapters of "Old Wives Tale" the trajectory of the two sisters is blindingly obvious- although the portrait of the mother is not altogether locked in to stereotype.

[@ria1636]

Basically, the Minister of the Arts referred to by Margaret Drabble was in the wrong job!

[@jesuisravi]

Yes, the father's death scene in Clayhanger is...Homeric! It is one of the 7 wonders of English Literature.

[@lw1343]

Wow never knew. I'll take him seriously now. Also very surprised.... criticism of the untouchable infallible Virginia Woolf?!?

[@mfitzgerald883]

At the end of this, a reference is made to Chapter 2 of this 'DVD'. Does anyone know if this has been uploaded anywhere? This is an excellent film and I'd love to see the rest.

[@carolinebarnes6832]

Is there a link for Chapter two?