Anna of the Five Towns

Bennett's remarkable 'sermon against parental tyranny' set in the industrial world of early twentieth century England Against the beautifully evoked backdrop of the Potteries district, the 'Five Towns'--a gossipy community with its prayer meetings, hard physical work, small-minded bigotry and quick condemnation of others--Anna is dominated by her tight-fisted, tyrannical father. She inherits a fortune - with brilliant sympathy, charm and pain, Bennett describes the process by which Anna tries to navigate her way through the world and the emotional and moral challenges she faces.