El destino de Denry Machin parece estar escrito en piedra: hijo de una costurera, trabaja como secretario y no tiene aspiraciones que estén por encima de su clase social. Pero, de repente, todo cambia cuando descubre que tiene la oportunidad de incluir su nombre en la lista de invitados al baile de la condesa de Chell. En la fiesta, le gana una apuesta al rico Harold Etches y unos días más tarde, cuando su jefe lo despide, las ganancias constituyen su único sustento económico. A partir de entonces, Denry enlaza una aventura con otra en un arduo intento por convertirse en una persona de renombre. Y cuando menos se lo espera, encuentra el amor…, o eso cree él.
Ambientada en la segunda mitad del s. XIX, El as nos muestra al Arnold Bennett de humor más brillante y con más gancho: tanto las ambiciones del personaje principal como su vida amorosa están marcadas por situaciones ridículas y divertidas. Además, la aguzada mirada satírica de Bennett sobre la gente de provincias que vive en la región denominada «the Potteries», famosa por la industria de la cerámica, no hace sino potenciar el divertimento.
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The destiny of Denry Machin seems to be set in stone: the son of a seamstress, he is employed as a clerk with no aspirations beyond his station. But all at once, everything changes when he spots his opportunity to include his name in the list of guests for the Countess of Chell’s ball. While at the party, he wins a bet against the wealthy Harold Etches, and some days later, when his boss fires him, his winnings become his sole financial lifeline. From this point on, Denry moves from one adventure to the next, doing everything he can to make a name for himself. And when he least expects it, he finds love—or so he thinks.
Set in the second half of the nineteenth century, The Card sees Arnold Bennett displaying his finest humour with the greatest panache: absurd, humorous situations permeate not just the main character’s ambitions but also his love life. Moreover, Bennett’s astutely satirical take on the provincial people residing in the Potteries simply adds to the entertainment.
Ambientada en la segunda mitad del s. XIX, El as nos muestra al Arnold Bennett de humor más brillante y con más gancho: tanto las ambiciones del personaje principal como su vida amorosa están marcadas por situaciones ridículas y divertidas. Además, la aguzada mirada satírica de Bennett sobre la gente de provincias que vive en la región denominada «the Potteries», famosa por la industria de la cerámica, no hace sino potenciar el divertimento.
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The destiny of Denry Machin seems to be set in stone: the son of a seamstress, he is employed as a clerk with no aspirations beyond his station. But all at once, everything changes when he spots his opportunity to include his name in the list of guests for the Countess of Chell’s ball. While at the party, he wins a bet against the wealthy Harold Etches, and some days later, when his boss fires him, his winnings become his sole financial lifeline. From this point on, Denry moves from one adventure to the next, doing everything he can to make a name for himself. And when he least expects it, he finds love—or so he thinks.
Set in the second half of the nineteenth century, The Card sees Arnold Bennett displaying his finest humour with the greatest panache: absurd, humorous situations permeate not just the main character’s ambitions but also his love life. Moreover, Bennett’s astutely satirical take on the provincial people residing in the Potteries simply adds to the entertainment.
