
The Elusive Craft of Writing (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. How to Become an Author, The Truth about an Author, Literary Taste: How to Form It & The Author's CraftBy Arnold BennettLength9h 17m
About this audiobook
In The Elusive Craft of Writing, Arnold Bennett treats authorship not as a mystical visitation but as a disciplined art, demanding observation, structure, patience, and a rigorous command of language. Written in Bennett's characteristically lucid, practical, and urbane prose, the book belongs to the early twentieth-century tradition of literary counsel that sought to demystify creative work while preserving its seriousness. Its reflections illuminate the habits of mind behind fiction, journalism, and criticism, placing craft within the broader culture of modern professional letters. Bennett, one of the major English novelists of the Edwardian period, was shaped by journalism, publishing, and the industrious literary marketplace of his age. Born in the Staffordshire Potteries, whose social textures informed his celebrated Five Towns novels, he combined provincial realism with cosmopolitan ambition. His own prolific career made him especially alert to the tensions between inspiration, commerce, discipline, and artistic integrity. This book is recommended for aspiring writers, students of literary modernity, and readers interested in the working intelligence behind fiction. Bennett offers neither easy formulas nor romantic evasions, but a humane, bracing account of writing as a craft learned through attention, labor, and taste.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
Audiobook details
GenreOther
Length9 hrs 17 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateAug 25, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Elusive Craft of Writing (Annotated)
26I
2Introduction
27II
3Historical Context
28III
4Synopsis (Selection)
29IV
5How to Become an Author
30V
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Literary Career
31Writing Plays
7The Formation of Style
32I
8Journalism
33II
9Short Stories
34III
10Sensational and Other Serials
35IV
11The Novel
36V
12Non-fictional Writing
37VI
13The Business Side of Books
38The Artist and the Public
14The Occasional Author
39I
15Playwriting
40II
16The Author's Craft
41III
17Seeing Life
42IV
18I
43Literary Taste: How to Form It
19II
44The Aim
20III
45Your Particular Case
21IV
46Why a Classic is a Classic
22V
47Where to Begin
23VI
48How to Read a Classic
24VII
49The Question of Style
25Writing Novels
50Wrestling With an Author