Riceyman Steps: A Novel

"Riceyman Steps: A Novel" by Arnold Bennett is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. The narrative appears to focus on the life of Henry Earlforward, a bookseller navigating the complexities of loneliness and burgeoning affection, particularly towards Elsie, his charwoman. The setting of Clerkenwell serves as a backdrop, offering a vivid picture of urban life, where the stories of the characters unfold amidst the rich history of the area. The opening of the novel introduces Henry Earlforward as he embarks on a routine afternoon climb up Riceyman Steps, where he is contemplative yet distracted by thoughts of Elsie, a widow and his employee. As he observes the bustling King's Cross Road, his mind drifts to sharing tales of the area's history with her, hinting at a growing emotional connection. The scene is set further with the introduction of a second-hand bookshop, establishing Earlforward's character as a thoughtful, somewhat eccentric bookseller. His interactions with various patrons, including Dr. Raste, and insights into his solitary life reveal his inner struggles and aspirations, foreshadowing a deeper exploration of relationships and community within the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Enoch Arnold Bennett was an English author, best known as a novelist, who wrote prolifically. Between the 1890s and the 1930s he completed 34 novels, seven volumes of short stories, 13 plays, and a daily journal totalling more than a million words. He wrote articles and stories for more than 100 newspapers and periodicals, worked in and briefly ran the Ministry of Information during the First World War, and wrote for the cinema in the 1920s. Sales of his books were substantial, and he was the most financially successful British author of his day.