J. B. Priestley Libri

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.

An Inspector Calls, first produced in 1946 when society was undergoing sweeping transformations, has recently enjoyed an enormously successful revival. While holding its audience with the gripping tension of a detective thriller, it is also a philosophical play about social conscience and the crumbling of middle class values. Time and the Conways and I Have Been Here Before belong to Priestley's 'time'plays, in which he explores the idea of precognition and pits fate against free will. The Linden Tree also challenges preconceived ideas of history when Professor Linden comes into conflict with his family about how life should be lived after the war.

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.

One of Priestley's best novels,"Lost Empires" is set in the last years before the Great War, an age that was considered innocent but probably was nothing of the sort. In turn funny, sad, tragic and nostalgic, it is the story of young Richard Herncastle, who travels the old-time music halls during its golden era with his Uncle Nick Ollanton, an illusionist. It is a novel that can be read on many levels, with a delightful parade of characters whose stories tell us much about how life was for a variety performer in those long-forgotten days...indeed, it is essentially an excellent slice of fiction that captures a particular time and place in history --just before the world changed for ever.

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

It is spring 1945. Three men who have been serving together overseas return, demobilised, to the same village. Coming from very diff erent walks of life, the war has brought them together in unexpected friendship. Following each man as he returns home and must come to terms with what he fi nds there, the novel considers the challenges both with returning to fi nd nothing has changed and returning home to unexpected diff iculties. As the men resume civilian life, they meet again to consider their futures, and what may be in store both for themselves and wider society in a post-war world, fi nding themselves 'among the hundreds of millions wistfully looking on and wondering what next'. With an introduction from the Imperial War Museum which puts the novel in historical context, this timely reprint of a 1945 classic is published for the VE Day anniversary in 2025, bringing a forgott en gem by a prolifi c author back into print and refl ecting on the long legacy of the Second World War.

Priestley's captivating drama from 1945 explores the "unconscious" guilt of a group of people in connection with the suicide of a young working-class woman. This thought-provoking play unfolds as a criminal investigation that ultimately leads to a confrontation with reality. It serves as a modern theatrical classic, delving into themes of responsibility, social conscience, and the interconnectedness of individual actions within society.

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'.

York Notes author John Scicluna discusses all aspect of An Inspector Calls --a thorough run-down very helpful to anyone studying the famous Priestley play.

'An exquisitely-written, generous, funny, thoughtful book about the everyday joys of being alive. I love it.' Dolly Alderton '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

Paperback Penguin Modern Classics edition from 1968. A novel set in London during the Great Depression of the 1930s and dealing with the workers at a small import firm in the City. Originally published in August 1930, this is a much later paperback edition from 1968. 500pp.

Děj se odehrává počátkem 30. let v době počínající hospodářské krize, která velmi citelně zasáhla také Anglii. Hrdina románu pan Oakroyd z dělnického Bruddersfordu už má všeho po krk. V rodině přišel ztrátou zaměstnání o vliv a vážnost a navíc si uvědomuje, že prožil většinu svých let na jednom místě a od doby svého mládí nic kromě svého nejbližšího okolí vlastně nic neviděl. Rozhodne se tedy vydat na cestu toulek a dobrodružství.

Vyprávění Richarda Herncastla o jeho životě na varietních prknech od listopadu 1913 do srpna 1914.

Zauber früher Jahre - bk1059; Bastei Lübbe; J.B. Priestley; pocket_book; 1982

In einem verfallenen Landhaus in den Waliser Bergen suchen fünf Londoner aus der besseren Gesellschaft Schutz vor einem Unwetter. Dort treffen sie auf die seltsamen Bewohner des Hauses. Ein Klassiker des modernen Kriminalromans, der mehrfach verfilmt wurde.

Reise in ein altes Land - bk2013; Bastei Lübbe Verlag; J.B. Priestley; pocket_book; 1985

Lékař Salt pátrá po zmizelé pacientce a dojde k závěru, že byla zavražděna někým z členů významné rodiny. Celou záhadu nakonec logicky vyřeší.