
The Loot of Cities (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Detective MysteriesBy Arnold BennettLength6h 50m
About this audiobook
The Loot of Cities is an early Edwardian volume in which Arnold Bennett turns the modern metropolis into both stage and quarry: a place where money, reputation, desire, and ingenuity are constantly being extracted, traded, and mislaid. Written with Bennett's characteristic clarity, brisk narrative movement, and dry comic intelligence, the book belongs to the world of fin-de-siècle urban fiction, drawing on journalism, sensation writing, and social observation to expose the appetites beneath respectable city life. Bennett, born in the Staffordshire Potteries in 1867, was shaped by provincial industry, legal-office discipline, and the energetic literary marketplace of London. His years as a journalist, editor, reviewer, and cosmopolitan observer gave him an unusually sharp eye for systems—commercial, social, and psychological. That experience informs this book's fascination with how cities manufacture both opportunity and illusion, and with the resourceful figures who learn to read their hidden codes. Readers interested in Bennett beyond The Old Wives' Tale will find here a lively demonstration of his urban intelligence and narrative versatility. The Loot of Cities is recommended to those who enjoy polished social satire, compact storytelling, and fiction alert to the moral drama of modern life.
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
GenreMystery and Thriller
Length6 hrs 50 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 22, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
11Mr. Penfound's Two Burglars
2Introduction
12Midnight at the Grand Babylon
3Historical Context
13The Police Station
4Synopsis (Selection)
14The Adventure of the Prima Donna
5Chapter I. The Fire of London.
15The Episode in Room 222
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6Chapter II. A Comedy on the Gold Coast.
16Saturday to Monday
7Chapter III. A Bracelet at Bruges.
17A Dinner at the Louvre
8Chapter IV. A Solution of the Algiers Mystery.
18Analysis
9Chapter V. In the Capital of the Sahara.
19Reflection
10Chapter VI. "Lo! 'twas a gala night!"
20Memorable Quotes