John Boynton Priestley was een romanschrijver en dramaturge die bekend stond om zijn meesterlijke beheersing van de Engelse taal. Zijn werken doken vaak in sociale kwesties en het leven van gewone mensen, allemaal weergegeven in zijn kenmerkende, botte Yorkshire-stijl. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog werd hij een populaire en invloedrijke radio-omroeper, die het publieke debat vormgaf met zijn doordachte commentaren. Priestley liet een productieve en gevarieerde literaire nalatenschap na, met romans, essays en toneelstukken, en blijft een blijvende inspiratie voor aanstormende auteurs.
Set in a crumbling mansion during a storm, five travelers encounter unsettling residents who create a tense atmosphere. As they engage in conversational games, the characters reveal their innermost thoughts, offering deep psychological insights and fostering empathy. The blend of dark humor and menacing undertones crafts a compelling narrative that explores fear and human connection, leading the reader into a shadowy realm of suspense and emotional depth.
Disillusioned playwright Martin Cheveril, on the verge of a career change, is thrust into the past after discovering an old pamphlet about the tragic actress Jenny Villiers. As he falls asleep, he is transported to her era, becoming a witness to her life and the events leading to her untimely death. This journey reveals the lasting impact of her tragedy, intertwining the past with his present, and forcing him to confront his own disillusionment with the theatre.
Great Ghost Stories is a volume filled with strange sights, spirits, words and actions from beyond the grave.This rich and diverse collection brings together some of the best spooky writing of all time.
Probably the most popular of Priestley's novels, it became an instant best-seller upon its July 1929 release. Although Priestley later felt its success overshadowed more significant works, the book has remained beloved. This third novel is well-written and engaging, telling the story of a stranded theatrical group, the Dinky Doos, who are rescued by Miss Trant and transformed into the Good Companions. Their adventures include characters like Jess Oakroyd, a middle-aged joiner escaping his dreary life, Susie Dean, and Inigo Jollifant. The novel exemplifies Priestley's hallmark of long, colorful narratives, and he found joy in writing it, viewing the process as a holiday rather than a chore. Ironically, when he pitched the idea to his publishers, they doubted its appeal. Yet, the story's essence was deeply rooted in him, leading to an obsession with writing a novel he would enjoy, which resonated with many others. Released during a national depression, it was described as a fairy tale that lifted spirits. David Hughes noted its simple, straightforward construction, highlighting themes of rebellion and the search for romance amidst reality. The journeys of Jess, Miss Trant, and Inigo reflect their struggles against life's frustrations. Priestley began writing it in January 1928 and submitted the manuscript in March 1929. The novel has inspired at least two films and multiple stage adaptations.
Humphrey Neyland, a middle-aged Canadian engineer, is drawn into a dangerous undercover mission in the industrial city of Gretley, vital for wartime aircraft production. Tasked by British Intelligence, he quickly discovers that the town is rife with deception, as nearly everyone harbors secrets and ulterior motives. As Neyland navigates this treacherous landscape, he becomes ensnared in a complex web of murder and intrigue, where danger is ever-present and trust is a rare commodity.
'The finest book ever written about England and the English' Stuart Maconie 'J. B. Priestley is one of our literary icons of the 20th Century and it is time that we all became re-acquainted with his genius.' Dame Judi Dench
Robert Caplan and his wife are entertaining her brother and sister-in-law. Because Robert insists on uncovering the truth about his brother Martin's 'suicide', many unpalatable revelations ensue which cause Robert to shoot himself. At this point, the opening scene is repeated, but this time they bypass the dangerous corner at which the truth is demanded, thus averting the disaster. Written in 1932 this forms one of the three 'time plays'.
