Riceyman Steps

"Riceyman Steps" is a masterful work of social realism by Arnold Bennett, set in the atmospheric streets of Clerkenwell, London, shortly after the First World War. The novel centers on Henry Earlforward, a second-hand bookseller whose life is governed by an all-consuming passion for parsimony. As Henry courts and eventually marries Violet Arb, a widow who shares some of his frugal instincts, the narrative explores the devastating psychological and physical consequences of extreme miserliness within a domestic setting.

The story is anchored by the presence of Elsie, the couple's devoted yet underpaid servant, whose simple humanity and capacity for love serve as a poignant contrast to the grim asceticism of the Earlforward household. Through vivid characterizations and a meticulous attention to the details of everyday life, Bennett delves into themes of greed, self-denial, and the struggle for dignity in the face of post-war economic hardship. Awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, "Riceyman Steps" remains a compelling study of human obsession and stands as one of the most significant and psychologically astute examples of early twentieth-century English fiction.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.