Anna of the Five Towns

Rating:
Summary: Avarice and the Bible
Review: Apparently "Anna of the Five Towns" was based on Balzac's "Eunegie Grandet", and was Bennett's first significant novel. It does have similarities to Balzac's work, in that it is set in a provincial town, where a young down-trodden woman lives with her tyrannical and miserly father.

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

Rating:
Summary: Avarice and the Bible
Review: Apparently "Anna of the Five Towns" was based on Balzac's "Eunegie Grandet", and was Bennett's first significant novel. It does have similarities to Balzac's work, in that it is set in a provincial town, where a young down-trodden woman lives with her tyrannical and miserly father.

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

Rating:
Summary: Anna of the Five Towns--Bennett's First "Serious" Novel
Review: Described by the prolific author as "my serious novel," _Anna_ is the story of a young woman's struggles to free herself from the oppression of her domineering father. The title character is given a chance to live undreamed-of experiences when she inherits a fortune in properties and business ventures on her 21st birthday. Simultaneously, she finds herself the declared object of affection of one of the town's most desirable men. As her story unfolds, she is attracted to another man, more vulnerable, and must try to resolve many different demands on her sense of duty and her emotions.

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.

Rating:
Summary: Anna of the Five Towns--Bennett's First "Serious" Novel
Review: Described by the prolific author as "my serious novel," _Anna_ is the story of a young woman's struggles to free herself from the oppression of her domineering father. The title character is given a chance to live undreamed-of experiences when she inherits a fortune in properties and business ventures on her 21st birthday. Simultaneously, she finds herself the declared object of affection of one of the town's most desirable men. As her story unfolds, she is attracted to another man, more vulnerable, and must try to resolve many different demands on her sense of duty and her emotions.

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.

Rating:
Summary: Anna of the Five Towns--Bennett's First "Serious" Novel
Review: Described by the prolific author as "my serious novel," _Anna_ is the story of a young woman's struggles to free herself from the oppression of her domineering father. The title character is given a chance to live undreamed-of experiences when she inherits a fortune in properties and business ventures on her 21st birthday. Simultaneously, she finds herself the declared object of affection of one of the town's most desirable men. As her story unfolds, she is attracted to another man, more vulnerable, and must try to resolve many different demands on her sense of duty and her emotions.

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.

Rating:
Summary: The Unsuppressing of Anna
Review: Story of young woman who is given a measure of financial independence by her oppressive father, and how she gradually reaches for some small measure of autonomy. The "Five Towns" are the author's fictionalized version of the corresponding cities of the region in England where the famous potteries & glaziers are.

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.

Rating:
Summary: The Unsuppressing of Anna
Review: Story of young woman who is given a measure of financial independence by her oppressive father, and how she gradually reaches for some small measure of autonomy. The "Five Towns" are the author's fictionalized version of the corresponding cities of the region in England where the famous potteries & glaziers are.

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.

Rating:
Summary: The Unsuppressing of Anna
Review: Story of young woman who is given a measure of financial independence by her oppressive father, and how she gradually reaches for some small measure of autonomy. The "Five Towns" are the author's fictionalized version of the corresponding cities of the region in England where the famous potteries & glaziers are.

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.

Rating:
Summary: The crushing of Anna Tellwright
Review: When Anna turns 18, she inherits a large sum of money (and property) from her dead mother. Her miserly and cruel father discourages her from spending a penny of it and even forces her to extract high rents from her tenants. As if this weren't enough trouble, she falls in love with Harry Mynors who is only interested in her money. When she realizes this, she has become so used to this kind of treatment that she decides to marry him anyway. Naturalistic and depressing, Bennett portrays his main characters well. Poor Anna--you really feel for her by the end of the book.