3 Review(s)

In this charming social comedy, Arnold Bennett turns his sharp eye and gentle wit to the world of literary ambition, celebrity, and the absurdities of fame. A Great Man: A Frolic follows Henry Shakespeare Knight-a young, unsuspecting poet whose sudden rise to notoriety thrusts him into a life of adulation, misunderstanding, and romantic entanglements. As Henry is swept up in the machinery of publishing, media, and society's hunger for novelty, Bennett hilariously dissects the contradictions between artistic integrity and public perception. The novel is a frolic in every sense-playful, fast-paced, and full of delightful commentary on the early 20th-century literary scene. Through Henry's adventures, Bennett lampoons the pretensions of critics, the fickleness of audiences, and the pressures placed on anyone considered "great." Ideal for fans of Wodehouse, Wilde, or any reader who enjoys a witty and reflective portrait of a man bewildered by his own success.