The Grim Smile of the Five Towns : Bibliotech Press : 9798888308004 : 18 May 2024 : The Grim Smile of the Five Towns is the second major collection of stories written by Arnold Bennett. The book first appeared in print in June 1907. Only around half of the stories had previously appeared in print. The five towns of the title are the conurbation of Stoke-on-Trent in which much of the writer's best work is set. Stories "The Lion's Share". "Baby's Bath". "The Silent Brothers". "The Nineteenth Hat". "Vera's First Christmas Adventure". "The Murder of the Mandarin". "Vera's Second Christmas". "The Burglary". "News of the Engagement". "Beginning of the New Year". "From One Generation to Another". "The Death of Simon Fuge". "In a New Bottle". Bennett anticipated that the collection would help to establish his stature as a writer, showing that he could rise above what he termed his "potboilers". But the book had some initial sharp criticism from press reviewers. Some critics