Buried Alive

Buried Alive by Arnold Bennett delivers a sly, entertaining hook: a celebrated painter vanishes from public life, and what follows is a sharp comic novel about identity, fame, and the price of privacy. Set in Edwardian London and the transatlantic art scene, Bennett sketches Mr. Priam Farll as an extraordinary artist whose extreme shyness sets off a chain of social misunderstandings when a deathbed mix-up leads others to believe he is gone. Rather than dispel the error, Farll retreats into a new existence, and Bennett uses the premise to probe the absurdities of celebrity, the quirks of the art market, and the brittle etiquette of class. Witty, observant, and humane, the story balances satirical comedy with a poignant look at loneliness and the performance of social roles. Bennett’s crisp prose and keen eye for period detail evoke the manners and anxieties of the early twentieth century while lampooning how reputation and value are constructed. Perfect for listeners who enjoy classic British satire, literary fiction, or character-driven humor—this audiobook will appeal to fans of ironic social comedies and anyone curious about the clash between public acclaim and private self.