The Grand Babylon Hôtel
Enriched edition. Intrigue and Secrets in a Luxurious London HotelBy Arnold Bennett
Length8h 38m
About this audiobook
In Arnold Bennett's "The Grand Babylon Hôtel," the author masterfully intertwines themes of ambition, decadence, and societal mores within the bustling framework of a luxurious London hotel at the turn of the 20th century. Employing a vibrant and engaging narrative style, Bennett paints a meticulous portrait of hotel life, where the lives of the upper class and lower class collide. Richly descriptive passages and keen observations of human behavior reflect the author's sharp socio-economic commentary, echoing the literary context of Edwardian realism that captures the complexities of modern existence alongside the rise of popular culture. Bennett, a prominent figure in English literature and a key member of the literary community in the early 20th century, drew heavily from his experiences in the Potteries and the bustling life of London. His interest in the evolving social fabric of Britain, coupled with a fascination for the architecture and atmosphere of hotels, inspired him to create this vibrant story that explores the nuances of personal ambition and the inherent chaos of life within a transient space. "The Grand Babylon Hôtel" is a must-read for those who appreciate finely crafted narratives rich in social commentary and character study. Bennett's vivid portrayal of early 20th-century society invites readers to delve into the joys and tribulations of human existence, making it a timeless exploration of ambition and the human spirit.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for 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.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreMystery and Thriller, Romance
Length8 hrs 38 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 22, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5The Grand Babylon Hôtel
Show all chaptersShow less
6Chapter One THE MILLIONAIRE AND THE WAITER
7Chapter Four ENTRANCE OF THE PRINCE
8Chapter Eight ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF THE BARONESS
9Chapter Eleven THE COURT PAWNBROKER
10Chapter Fifteen END OF THE YACHT ADVENTURE
11Chapter Eighteen IN THE NIGHT-TIME
12Chapter Twenty-Two IN THE WINE CELLARS OF THE GRAND BABYLON
13Chapter Twenty-Six THE NIGHT CHASE AND THE MUDLARK
14Chapter Thirty CONCLUSION
15Analysis
16Reflection
17Memorable Quotes
The Clayhanger Trilogy (Consisting of Clayhanger + Hilda Lessways + These Twain) (Annotated)Arnold Bennett51h 28m$2 · $0.00
Arnold Bennett: Essays, Personal Development Books, Autobiographical Works & Articles (Annotated)Arnold Bennett57h 50m$2 · $0.00
The Five Towns Series (Annotated)Arnold Bennett136h 18m$3 · $0.00
Mental Efficiency And Other Hints to Men and Women (Annotated)Arnold Bennett3h 11m$2 · $0.00
ARNOLD BENNETT Ultimate Collection (Annotated)Arnold Bennett361h 11m$2 · $0.00
How to Live on 24 Hours a Day & The Game of Life and How to Play It (Annotated)Arnold Bennett4h 31m$2 · $0.00
How to Become an Author (Annotated)Arnold Bennett4h 40m$2 · $0.00
The Roll-Call (Unabridged) (Annotated)Arnold Bennett14h 7m$2 · $0.00
These Twain (Unabridged) (Annotated)Arnold Bennett18h 6m$2 · $0.00
THE FEAST OF ST. FRIEND - Study on the Meaning of Christmas & Holiday Spirit (Annotated)Arnold Bennett2h 10m$2 · $0.00
The Old Wives' Tale (Annotated)Arnold Bennett25h 52m$2 · $0.00
Anna of the Five Towns (Annotated)Arnold Bennett9h 24m$2 · $0.00
How to Live (Annotated)Arnold Bennett6h 7m$2 · $0.00
The Elusive Craft of Writing (Annotated)Arnold Bennett9h 17m$2 · $0.00
How to Become a Writer (Annotated)Arnold Bennett9h 16m$2 · $0.00
Hilda Lessways (Annotated)Arnold Bennett13h 4m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Clayhanger Family Novels (Clayhanger + Hilda Lessways + These Twain + The Roll Call) (Annotated)Arnold Bennett64h 34m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Short Stories of Arnold Bennett (Annotated)Arnold Bennett40h 51m$2 · $0.00
Mental Efficiency, and Other Hints to Men and WomenArnold Bennett1h 24m$2 · $0.00
The Lion's ShareArnold Bennett11h 25m$2 · $0.00
CollateralBrian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson13h 8m$23
Complete Novels of Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Unabridged) (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoyevsky225h 57m$0.99 · $0.00
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Novels & Stories (4 Novels + 56 Short Stories) (Annotated)Arthur Conan Doyle73h 13m$2 · $0.00
The ReunionJana Deleon6h 31m$26 · $0.00
Animal 3K’wan6h 33m$20
To Hold and ProtectSandra Owens7h 59m$8 · $0.00
Extinction WarNicholas Sansbury Smith12h 1m$23
Savy WisdomPeggy McColl2h 53m$15
3 a.m. Premium: Books 1–5Nick Pirog15h 27m$25
Farewell My Lovely (Annotated)Raymond Chandler10h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Labyrinth of the SpiritsCarlos Ruiz Zafon27h 55m$53 · $0.00
Tracing Killer EvidenceJodie Bailey5h 46m$12 · $0.00
AGATHA CHRISTIE Premium CollectionAgatha Christie37h 15m$2 · $0.00
Sign of the MakerBrian Shea7h 13m$17
No Sin UnpunishedLynDee Walker7h 43m$17
The Cases of Lord Peter Wimsey - Complete Series (Annotated)Dorothy L. Sayers148h 10m$2 · $0.00
Sherlock HolmesMade for Success14h 22m$25
Sons of War 4: SoldiersNicholas Sansbury Smith, Tom Abrahams12h 54m$25
Murder in the TowerRoy Lewis8h 23m$20
Glen AffricKarine Giebel22h 51m$46 · $0.00
Pride & Prejudice (Annotated)Jane Austen15h 10m$2 · $0.00
Searching For ThanksgivingS.E. Smith4h 24m$20
The InheritanceBlair Howard6h 40m$23
The Dance with Me TrilogyShelley Shepard Gray21h 44m$35
The Search (Annotated)Grace Livingston Hill7h 29m$0.99 · $0.00
The Captivating WarriorCami Checketts, Daniel Banner4h 8m$15
TimberTate James15h 36m$23
The ReunionJana Deleon6h 31m$26 · $0.00
Long LostLexi Blake13h 12m$23
The Vineyard BrideKatie Winters5h 5m$15
Something Like LoveBeverly Jenkins10h 21m5.0 (1)$29 · $0.00
Wishes from the HeartSophie Mays4h 9m$15 · $0.00
Blizzard ShowdownShirlee McCoy5h 16m5.0 (1)$12 · $0.00
The Heart of CourageLynne Basham Tagawa10h 57m$20
Love Inspired Suspense October 2025 - Box Set 2 of 2Laura Scott, Carrie Stuart Parks, Jennifer Pierce17h 34m$35 · $0.00
Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters Book SetTalia Hibbert31h 7m$53 · $0.00
To Hold and ProtectSandra Owens7h 59m$8 · $0.00
The Newly Witch GameRobyn Peterman4h 39m$15
Arctic WitnessHeather Woodhaven5h 46m5.0 (1)$12 · $0.00
MaelstromBethany Adams17h 6m$25
You may also like
The Scent of DangerFiona Buckley8h 54m$20
The Red Fox's SonEdgar M. Dilley7h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Secret of ChimneysAgatha Christie9h 10m$2.30
The Three SapphiresWilliam Alexander Fraser6h 44m$2 · $0.00
The Secret of ChimneysAgatha Christie7h 48m$26 · $0.00
New Arabian NightsRobert Louis Stevenson8h 59m$2 · $0.00
The Secret of Chimneys (Annotated)Agatha Christie10h 59m$2 · $0.00
Mrs. FitzJ. C. Snaith10h 14m$2.30
The New GirlDaniel Silva10h 16m$29 · $0.00
The Man With the Twisted ThumbAnthony Berkeley1h 12m$1 · $0.00
Citizen OrlovJonathan Payne6h 27m$23
Whoso Findeth a WifeWilliam Le Queux11h 19m$2.30
BRITISH MYSTERIES Boxed Set: 70+ Spy Thrillers & Detective StoriesEmma Orczy65h 6m$2 · $0.00
Mr. Justice MaxellEdgar Wallace6h 4m$2.30
The White BlackbirdRobert Aitken9h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Traitors of the Tropics, or, Nick Carter's Royal FlushNick Carter3h 56m$2.30
The Lady from Long AcreVictor Bridges10h 49m$2 · $0.00
The Grand Babylon HôtelArnold Bennett8h 35m$1 · $0.00
The Secret of ChimneysAgatha Christie9h 12m$2.30 · $0.00
MYSTERY & SUSPENSE (Annotated)E. Phillips Oppenheim265h 28m$2 · $0.00