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The Five Towns #10
These Twain
The third in a trilogy of books following Edwin Clayhanger from leaving school, through the next 25-30 years of his life. After "Clayhanger" and "Hilda Lessways", this book follows the early married life of Edwin and Hilda.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1915
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142 people want to read
About the author
Arnold Bennett
959 books311 followersEnoch 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 (some in collaboration with other writers), 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.
Born into a modest but upwardly mobile family in Hanley, in the Staffordshire Potteries, Bennett was intended by his father, a solicitor, to follow him into the legal profession. Bennett worked for his father before moving to another law firm in London as a clerk at the age of 21. He became assistant editor and then editor of a women's magazine before becoming a full-time author in 1900. Always a devotee of French culture in general and French literature in particular, he moved to Paris in 1903; there the relaxed milieu helped him overcome his intense shyness, particularly with women. He spent ten years in France, marrying a Frenchwoman in 1907. In 1912 he moved back to England. He and his wife separated in 1921, and he spent the last years of his life with a new partner, an English actress. He died in 1931 of typhoid fever, having unwisely drunk tap-water in France.
Many of Bennett's novels and short stories are set in a fictionalised version of the Staffordshire Potteries, which he called The Five Towns. He strongly believed that literature should be accessible to ordinary people and he deplored literary cliques and élites. His books appealed to a wide public and sold in large numbers. For this reason, and for his adherence to realism, writers and supporters of the modernist school, notably Virginia Woolf, belittled him, and his fiction became neglected after his death. During his lifetime his journalistic "self-help" books sold in substantial numbers, and he was also a playwright; he did less well in the theatre than with novels but achieved two considerable successes with Milestones (1912) and The Great Adventure (1913).
Studies by Margaret Drabble (1974), John Carey (1992), and others have led to a re-evaluation of Bennett's work. The finest of his novels, including Anna of the Five Towns (1902), The Old Wives' Tale (1908), Clayhanger (1910) and Riceyman Steps (1923), are now widely recognised as major works.
Born into a modest but upwardly mobile family in Hanley, in the Staffordshire Potteries, Bennett was intended by his father, a solicitor, to follow him into the legal profession. Bennett worked for his father before moving to another law firm in London as a clerk at the age of 21. He became assistant editor and then editor of a women's magazine before becoming a full-time author in 1900. Always a devotee of French culture in general and French literature in particular, he moved to Paris in 1903; there the relaxed milieu helped him overcome his intense shyness, particularly with women. He spent ten years in France, marrying a Frenchwoman in 1907. In 1912 he moved back to England. He and his wife separated in 1921, and he spent the last years of his life with a new partner, an English actress. He died in 1931 of typhoid fever, having unwisely drunk tap-water in France.
Many of Bennett's novels and short stories are set in a fictionalised version of the Staffordshire Potteries, which he called The Five Towns. He strongly believed that literature should be accessible to ordinary people and he deplored literary cliques and élites. His books appealed to a wide public and sold in large numbers. For this reason, and for his adherence to realism, writers and supporters of the modernist school, notably Virginia Woolf, belittled him, and his fiction became neglected after his death. During his lifetime his journalistic "self-help" books sold in substantial numbers, and he was also a playwright; he did less well in the theatre than with novels but achieved two considerable successes with Milestones (1912) and The Great Adventure (1913).
Studies by Margaret Drabble (1974), John Carey (1992), and others have led to a re-evaluation of Bennett's work. The finest of his novels, including Anna of the Five Towns (1902), The Old Wives' Tale (1908), Clayhanger (1910) and Riceyman Steps (1923), are now widely recognised as major works.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 8, 2020
This final book in the Clayhanger Trilogy (a subset of this author’s famous Five Towns Series) is a lengthy tale of the continuing relationship of Edwin Clayhanger and Hilda Lessways. The story begins with their afternoon “at-home” (following their recent low-key marriage ceremony) and outlines their lives for the subsequent five years.
The initial optimistic romantic relationship deteriorates rather quickly into a battleground of sorts — not open warfare but rather an incessant simmering as each attempts to out-manipulate the other. Emotions rise and fall; the rhythm of their lives becomes more erratic. Both parties fall prey to the folly of believing that happiness will be achieved by learning to “handle” (and ultimately change) the other. What folly!
I had eagerly anticipated this final segment of the trilogy but the interminable waffling of “these twain” between starry-eyed infatuation and boiling-point resentment grew rather tiresome. Ultimately, it was a relief to reach the end. Alas, it too was a wishy-washy disappointment — far from the Hardy-esque realism which would have seemed appropriate.
The initial optimistic romantic relationship deteriorates rather quickly into a battleground of sorts — not open warfare but rather an incessant simmering as each attempts to out-manipulate the other. Emotions rise and fall; the rhythm of their lives becomes more erratic. Both parties fall prey to the folly of believing that happiness will be achieved by learning to “handle” (and ultimately change) the other. What folly!
I had eagerly anticipated this final segment of the trilogy but the interminable waffling of “these twain” between starry-eyed infatuation and boiling-point resentment grew rather tiresome. Ultimately, it was a relief to reach the end. Alas, it too was a wishy-washy disappointment — far from the Hardy-esque realism which would have seemed appropriate.
August 15, 2024
The last of the trilogy. The first about Edwin Clayhanger, the second Hilda Lessways and her marriage with George Cannon that was not and her last fe in Brighton. This novel brings them together as a married couple with George the illegitimate son of Hilda’s.
The story gives mostly Edwin’s thoughts of their marriage and the unpredictability of Hilda which he loathes and loves. Their domestic battles over the house, servants, Edwin’s relatives and their love hate relationship. Hilda feels powerless and there are continual tensions in the marriage hardly ever rising to the surface.
Edwin’s sister Clara married to the unsuccessful Jacob who their Aunt Hamp on the surface waxes lyrical but knows is not to be trusted. Edwin who steadily rises in business through diligence, hard work and ignoring Hilda’s misgivings.
In the end Bennet portrays a subtle and insightful view of their relationship which survives thanks to compromise and passion. The story is of a different time where class ruled and the worker, servant were subservient albeit below the surface resentfully.
The story gives mostly Edwin’s thoughts of their marriage and the unpredictability of Hilda which he loathes and loves. Their domestic battles over the house, servants, Edwin’s relatives and their love hate relationship. Hilda feels powerless and there are continual tensions in the marriage hardly ever rising to the surface.
Edwin’s sister Clara married to the unsuccessful Jacob who their Aunt Hamp on the surface waxes lyrical but knows is not to be trusted. Edwin who steadily rises in business through diligence, hard work and ignoring Hilda’s misgivings.
In the end Bennet portrays a subtle and insightful view of their relationship which survives thanks to compromise and passion. The story is of a different time where class ruled and the worker, servant were subservient albeit below the surface resentfully.
November 18, 2022
This novel is the final book in the Clayhanger trilogy, following Clayhanger and Hilda Lessways. I found it to be the best novel in the trilogy.
This novel is a very good, subtle and biting portrait of a marriage. The main characters are forced to continually compromise and reassess their relationship.
Whilst this novel can be read as a standalone, it does follow on chronologically from the previous two books, which provide detailed background about Edwin Clayhanger and Hilda.
This book was first published in 1916.
This novel is a very good, subtle and biting portrait of a marriage. The main characters are forced to continually compromise and reassess their relationship.
Whilst this novel can be read as a standalone, it does follow on chronologically from the previous two books, which provide detailed background about Edwin Clayhanger and Hilda.
This book was first published in 1916.
September 24, 2015
I think the Clayhanger trilogy might be even better than The Old Wives' Tale. Brought triumphantly to a close here.
August 15, 2024
How to survive Marriage
The first volume of the Clayhanger novels concentrated on him, the second on her, now they get nearly equal treatment. We live with the now married couple, Hilda and Edwin. The marriage is not as happy as one could have wished. Hilda does not think much of her husband as an entrepreneur. In truth he is successful. Not much is happening in addition to the drama of the marriage. Again and again, Bennett gets into the heads of his heroes - mostly Edwin though - to show the conflict. More than once he is about to leave her. But in the end, they accept their fate. He even buys a country house just to please her. A conflict hinted at is that Hilda does not really have anything useful to do (that is why she thinks a house in the country would make her happy.) The only real thing of drama is when Hilda’s former bigamist husband appears. Edwin gives him the money to make him go. Many years later he even gets it back.
A very modern novel in many ways. Told in a very nice old-fashioned way. And a book devoid of clichés. When the new character bachelor Tertius Ingpen is introduced, I suspected (feared really) he would become a love interest of Hilda. No such thing.
The first volume of the Clayhanger novels concentrated on him, the second on her, now they get nearly equal treatment. We live with the now married couple, Hilda and Edwin. The marriage is not as happy as one could have wished. Hilda does not think much of her husband as an entrepreneur. In truth he is successful. Not much is happening in addition to the drama of the marriage. Again and again, Bennett gets into the heads of his heroes - mostly Edwin though - to show the conflict. More than once he is about to leave her. But in the end, they accept their fate. He even buys a country house just to please her. A conflict hinted at is that Hilda does not really have anything useful to do (that is why she thinks a house in the country would make her happy.) The only real thing of drama is when Hilda’s former bigamist husband appears. Edwin gives him the money to make him go. Many years later he even gets it back.
A very modern novel in many ways. Told in a very nice old-fashioned way. And a book devoid of clichés. When the new character bachelor Tertius Ingpen is introduced, I suspected (feared really) he would become a love interest of Hilda. No such thing.
November 9, 2017
A fascinating book if you are looking for a psychological study rather than action.
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November 21, 2020Free download at Librivox here: https://librivox.org/these-twain-by-a...
Series of four set in Arnold Bennett's "Five Towns" which are the six towns of the Staffordshire Potteries - Burslem, Fenton, Hanley. Longton, Stoke ad Tungstall that now make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England
1.Clayhanger
2.Hilda Lessways
3.These Twain
4.The Roll-Call
************************
*Anna of the Five Towns 4 stars
*Riceyman Steps 4 stars
*Helen with the High Hand - An Idyllic Diversion 4 stars
*The Old Wives' Tale 4 stars
*The Card: A Story of Adventure in the Five Towns 4 stars
*Buried Alive 4 stars
*The Grand Babylon Hotel 3 stars
*Clayhanger reading
Series of four set in Arnold Bennett's "Five Towns" which are the six towns of the Staffordshire Potteries - Burslem, Fenton, Hanley. Longton, Stoke ad Tungstall that now make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England
1.Clayhanger
2.Hilda Lessways
3.These Twain
4.The Roll-Call
************************
*Anna of the Five Towns 4 stars
*Riceyman Steps 4 stars
*Helen with the High Hand - An Idyllic Diversion 4 stars
*The Old Wives' Tale 4 stars
*The Card: A Story of Adventure in the Five Towns 4 stars
*Buried Alive 4 stars
*The Grand Babylon Hotel 3 stars
*Clayhanger reading
September 28, 2023
It's a pity Bennett has fallen out of fashion, he is such an accomplished creator of his fictional world, Bursley, and the lives and concerns of his characters, Edwin, Hilda and their circle; he has a wry humour to boot. The final part of the excellent Clayhanger trilogy, 'These Twain' examines the fluctuating feelings, rivalries and manoeuverings of the married couple as they negotiate their own relationship while dealing with the wider fields of family, business and status. There is also a fascinating picture of early 20th century social change in provincial England and attitudes slowly shifting from the hidebound to the more enlightened. Bennett is never less than shrewd and affectionate, though unsentimental, in his portrayal of town and character. Set aside time to enjoy this read.
June 20, 2014
Damn, I like Arnold Bennett. It could be because I'm fond of Stoke or it could be because of the way he creates the Five Towns. I've grown to like his Potteries almost as much as I like Thomas Hardy's Wessex.
September 28, 2023
Probably the best novel about a marriage I've ever read. Interesting that the first book in the trilogy takes his point of view, the second hers, and the third both. At first it alternates in chunks but in the last chapter it moves easily between the two points of view.
July 12, 2016
Really enjoyed the final book of three. Exceptionally good read.
September 28, 2023
Not quite as good as the former two, as both Edwin and Hilda seem to be stuck in a repeating loop of misunderstanding and reconciliation and don't seem to progress until maybe near the end. The Victorian male views of women will probably stick in the craw of most modern women - especially that of Tertius Ingpen -but there are real insights into how one can love and be irritated by the same person, almost at the same time!
The characters of Maggie and Janet are the unsung heroines, I feel, as there is something grand but tragic in the way they give their lives over to doing things for others until they almost disappear as themselves. Bennett was very modern in his gentle sympathy for women with potential getting stuck in caring roles or as under-occupied housewives.
The characters of Maggie and Janet are the unsung heroines, I feel, as there is something grand but tragic in the way they give their lives over to doing things for others until they almost disappear as themselves. Bennett was very modern in his gentle sympathy for women with potential getting stuck in caring roles or as under-occupied housewives.
November 30, 2024
The last and least of the Clayhanger trilogy but incredibly good by the standards of any comparable novelist. The faults arise from a tendency for the omniscient third person to discuss marriage in an abstract, bloodless manner. This wasn't so prominent in the previous novels. And the over-long visit his main characters make to a country house in Dorset is actually boring - and I wouldn't use that word to describe anything else in the trilogy. Still, by taking the story into the 1890s, Bennett brings it into the lifetimes of my grandparents' generation. I can vouch for the authenticity of the attitudes and ways of thinking here portrayed because I knew people - albeit in old age - who had been shaped by them. So, despite its faults, I found These Twain a moving reading experience.
March 22, 2018
Very entertaining
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November 24, 2020I think I am in love with Hilda Lessways...
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April 21, 20251976 reprint
October 3, 2024
This is the third book in the Clayhanger series, and my favorite. In These Twain, the somewhat-starcrossed lovers from the first two books, Edwin and Hilda Clayhanger, embark on married life. They fight a lot. I read this book in the 1990s and haven’t re-read it, but what I remember most vividly are the descriptions of how angry they get at each other. Edwin Clayhanger thinks how he’d like to strangle Hilda, but then he goes for a walk and after a while he calms down, and when he comes home, he loves her again. At that time I was dating someone who made me really angry fairly often, and I thought These Twain was incredibly realistic. Bennett’s World-War-I-themed book (The Roll-Call) will come up in 1918, and is the last in the Clayhanger series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews