Description

Book Synopsis
An exquisitely-written, generous, funny, thoughtful book about the everyday joys of being alive. I love it.' Dolly AldertonJ. 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 DenchMy apology, my little bit of penitence, for having grumbled so much, for having darkened the breakfast table, almost ruined the lunch, nearly silence the dinner party, for all the fretting and chafing, grousing and croaking, for the old glum look and the thrust-out lower lip. So my long-suffering kinsfolk, my patient friends, may a glimmer of that delight which has so often possessed me, but perhaps too frequently in secret, now reach you from these pages.'There are times when there doesn't seem much to smile about. And for those times, there is this book. J. B Priestley's 1949 classic teaches us that joy may be found in even the simplest things, and that we all have the capacity to appreciate them.Delight comprises a ser

Trade Review

‘J. B. Priestley was one of the great authors of the twentieth century and a prose writer of great skill and charm. His essays were in the grand tradition of Hazlitt and Lamb, Chesterton and Belloc. I am delighted to hear that Delight is back in print – these wonderful essays are among his finest.’ Paul Johnson, The Spectator

‘I had this book pressed into my hands by someone during an unsteady time and it helped pick the lint off my jacket, straighten my lapels and push me out into the world again. It helped me appreciate my own pockets of pleasure.’ Hannah Jane Parkinson, The Guardian

'A vastly talented and exceptionally versatile and wise writer.' Iris Murdoch

'Priestley was volcanic, fertile … and never dull.' Anthony Burgess

‘A marvellous writer.’ David Hockney

‘We all know his plays, now is the time to be re-introduced to his novels.’ Timothy West

‘He belongs in a great English realist tradition that includes Bennett and Galsworthy.’ Michael Billington

‘An important book that has a literary importance and social value that far exceeds the time it was written.’ Dame Beryl Bainbridge

‘Written in the elegant, simple language which was an essential part of Priestley’s brilliance. It is, in consequence, a masterpiece.’ Roy Hattersley

Delight

Product form

£9.49

Includes FREE delivery

RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 22 Dec 2025.

A Paperback / softback by J. B. Priestley

1 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Delight by J. B. Priestley

    Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
    Publication Date: 13/04/2023
    ISBN13: 9780008585709, 978-0008585709
    ISBN10: 0008585709

    Description

    Book Synopsis
    An exquisitely-written, generous, funny, thoughtful book about the everyday joys of being alive. I love it.' Dolly AldertonJ. 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 DenchMy apology, my little bit of penitence, for having grumbled so much, for having darkened the breakfast table, almost ruined the lunch, nearly silence the dinner party, for all the fretting and chafing, grousing and croaking, for the old glum look and the thrust-out lower lip. So my long-suffering kinsfolk, my patient friends, may a glimmer of that delight which has so often possessed me, but perhaps too frequently in secret, now reach you from these pages.'There are times when there doesn't seem much to smile about. And for those times, there is this book. J. B Priestley's 1949 classic teaches us that joy may be found in even the simplest things, and that we all have the capacity to appreciate them.Delight comprises a ser

    Trade Review

    ‘J. B. Priestley was one of the great authors of the twentieth century and a prose writer of great skill and charm. His essays were in the grand tradition of Hazlitt and Lamb, Chesterton and Belloc. I am delighted to hear that Delight is back in print – these wonderful essays are among his finest.’ Paul Johnson, The Spectator

    ‘I had this book pressed into my hands by someone during an unsteady time and it helped pick the lint off my jacket, straighten my lapels and push me out into the world again. It helped me appreciate my own pockets of pleasure.’ Hannah Jane Parkinson, The Guardian

    'A vastly talented and exceptionally versatile and wise writer.' Iris Murdoch

    'Priestley was volcanic, fertile … and never dull.' Anthony Burgess

    ‘A marvellous writer.’ David Hockney

    ‘We all know his plays, now is the time to be re-introduced to his novels.’ Timothy West

    ‘He belongs in a great English realist tradition that includes Bennett and Galsworthy.’ Michael Billington

    ‘An important book that has a literary importance and social value that far exceeds the time it was written.’ Dame Beryl Bainbridge

    ‘Written in the elegant, simple language which was an essential part of Priestley’s brilliance. It is, in consequence, a masterpiece.’ Roy Hattersley

    Recently viewed products

    © 2025 Book Curl

      • American Express
      • Apple Pay
      • Diners Club
      • Discover
      • Google Pay
      • Maestro
      • Mastercard
      • PayPal
      • Shop Pay
      • Union Pay
      • Visa

      Login

      Forgot your password?

      Don't have an account yet?
      Create account