Ring in the New (Inheritance Trilogy

by Phyllis Bentley, Rupert Degas (Reading)

The West setting for the earlier novels in the Oldroyd saga - the novels that were so successfully televised as the Inheritance trilogy. Now the story is continued. The old, closely-knit world of the textile families has changed. When old Henry Morcar dies suddenly, a new generation comes into its inheritance. Syke Mill is threatened by a takeover bid. There is a protest march. Social conditions change but the picture of the West Riding and its people is as authentic as ever. Phyllis Bentley (1894-1977) was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where she was educated until she attended Cheltenham Ladies College, Gloucestershire. In 1932 her best-known work, Inheritance , was published to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. This was in contrast to her previous efforts, a collection of short stories entitled The World’s Bane , and several poor-selling novels. The success of Inheritance made her the most successful English regional novelist since Thomas Hardy, and she produced two more novels to create a trilogy; The Rise of Henry Morcar and A Man Of His Time . This success made her a much demanded speaker and she became an expert on the Bronte family. Over her career she garnered many awards; an honorary DLitt from Leeds University (1949); a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (1958); awarded an OBE (1970).

MP3 CD

First published October 28, 2011

About the author

PHYLLIS ELEANOR BENTLEY, the Yorkshire author, was born in November 1894. Her father was a junior partner in a manufacturing concern located at Dunkirk Mills, Halifax. She was educated at Halifax High School for Girls and Cheltenham Ladies College. A munitions worker in London during the First World War, she returned to Halifax where she taught English and Latin at Heath Grammar School.From an early age her ambition was to be a novelist. After several rejections from publishers, in 1928 she started her long association with the Gollancz publishing house, who agreed to publish her novel ‘The Partnership’. Her masterpiece, ‘Inheritance’ was published in 1932. Telling the story of the Oldroyd family, set against the background of the development of the textile industry, the book received widespread critical acclaim. Two further novels continued the saga of the Oldroyd family, ‘The Rise of Henry Morcar’ and ‘A Man of His Time’. In 1967 Granada Television began the serialisation of the trilogy. The ten-part series featured John Thaw and James Bolam in leading roles.

Phyllis Bentley’s main works were: Environment (1922); Cat in the Manger (1923); The Spinner of the Years ( March 1928); The Partnership (1928); Carr (1929); Trio (August 29 1930); Inheritance (1932); A Modern Tragedy (1934); The Whole of the Story (1935); Freedom Farewell (1936); The Rise of Henry Morcar (1946); Life Story (1948); Quorum; Panarama (1952); The House of Moreys (1953); Noble in Reason (1955); Crescendo (1958); Kith and Kin; O Dreams O Destinations (autobiography, 1962); Tales of the West Riding (1965); A Man Of His Time (1966); Gold Pieces (children's novel, 1968). Many of these novels deal with West Yorkshire and its history.

In recognition of her talent, she received several awards. In 1949 she was awarded a honorary Doctor of Literature ( DLitt) from Leeds University. In 1958 she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1970 was awarded an OBE.

She died in late June 1977 at Ing Royde Home.

Reviews

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnificent storytelling as usual from Phyllis Bentley, but not a cheerful book with its themes of mental health, accidents, student demonstrations, trade unions etc. To appreciate this book you need to have first read and understood her masterpiece "Inheritance".

[Booksnpieces · Rating 2 out of 5]

A northern family saga.