This book is the final volume in the Clayhanger novels, following Clayhanger and Hilda Lessways. In many ways this is the most accomplished of the three novels, for Bennett, drawing together the threads of his trilogy, presents already-established personalities in confrontation. Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867—1931), British novelist, playwright, critic, and essayist whose major works form an important link between the English novel and the mainstream of European realism. He also worked in other fields such as journalism, propaganda and film.