Buried Alive - Arnold Bennett

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Résumé :
Buried Alive tells the story of Priam Farll, a talented artist who gains recognition for his remarkable skill in portrait painting. He is celebrated and admired in the art world, and his works are highly sought after. However, despite his artistic success, Farll is a reclusive and introverted individual who shies away from the public eye. The novel takes a dramatic turn when Farll is mistaken for a vagrant by a group of people, including a policeman and a journalist, as he attempts to leave his house. When Farll is taken to a police station, his true identity is discovered, and it is revealed that he has been living a solitary life for years. Intriguingly, Farll is declared deceased during his brief incarceration, and this news spreads throughout the media and society. Instead of revealing the truth, Farll decides to embrace his supposed death as an opportunity for a fresh start. He adopts the pseudonym Henry Leek and sets off on a journey to experience life beyond his sheltered existence. As Henry Leek, Farll immerses himself in a world of new experiences and encounters various individuals who offer different perspectives on life and human nature. He takes on various roles, including that of a valet, and begins to see life from a new and liberating vantage point. Buried Alive delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, and the human desire for escape and transformation. It explores the consequences of reinventing oneself and the opportunities that can arise from leaving behind the constraints of one's past. Arnold Bennett's novel offers a thought-provoking examination of the complexities of human nature and the yearning for a life unburdened by societal expectations. The story invites readers to contemplate the choices we make in our lives and the potential for rebirth and renewal, even when one's identity has been declared buried alive by the world.