TY - BOOK AU - Bennett,Arnold TI - Riceyman Steps: A Novel AV - PR PY - 2019/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - London (England) -- Fiction KW - Courtship -- Fiction KW - Misers -- Fiction KW - Booksellers and bookselling -- Fiction KW - Husband and wife -- Fiction KW - Household employees -- Fiction KW - Clerkenwell (London, England) -- Fiction N1 - Release date is 2019-01-10; Produced by David T. Jones, woodie4, Al Haines & the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net; Original publication data not identified N2 - "Riceyman Steps: A Novel" by Arnold Bennett is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. The narrative appears to focus on the life of Henry Earlforward, a bookseller navigating the complexities of loneliness and burgeoning affection, particularly towards Elsie, his charwoman. The setting of Clerkenwell serves as a backdrop, offering a vivid picture of urban life, where the stories of the characters unfold amidst the rich history of the area. The opening of the novel introduces Henry Earlforward as he embarks on a routine afternoon climb up Riceyman Steps, where he is contemplative yet distracted by thoughts of Elsie, a widow and his employee. As he observes the bustling King's Cross Road, his mind drifts to sharing tales of the area's history with her, hinting at a growing emotional connection. The scene is set further with the introduction of a second-hand bookshop, establishing Earlforward's character as a thoughtful, somewhat eccentric bookseller. His interactions with various patrons, including Dr. Raste, and insights into his solitary life reveal his inner struggles and aspirations, foreshadowing a deeper exploration of relationships and community within the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58666 ER -