Forgotten Treasures: A Symposium

If Arnold Bennett is the most unfairly neglected of 20th century writers, then “Riceyman Steps” is probably his most unduly neglected work. Published in 1923, it describes--no, conveys--in fascinating and pathetic and at the same time humorous detail the life of a London miser, his overly loyal wife and their valiantly practical servant. Perhaps because the miser is a used-book seller, this novel is a favorite with the secondhand book dealers, which is a lucky thing, since they are virtually the only source for it: “Riceyman Steps” has been out of print for most of the last 75 years.