The Good Companions Paperback – February 5, 2016

You've got to be prepared for an extremely long period piece, written immediately after World War I, about the lives of British music-hall troupes, a little slow getting started, and devoid of really sensational plot developments. If that doesn't stop you, GET THIS BOOK. It's one of my best reads of 2013 and maybe 2012, as well. Priestley introduces us the three discontented people -- a lonely unmarried woman who's just sold all the furnishings in the family home and moved into a cottage, a disgruntled factory laborer in the North, and a well-born, underemployed music teacher in the worst fictional school since Dotheboys Hall in Dickens' MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT. One by one, they leave their unsatisfying lives behind and take to the road. Inevitably, their lives intersect. Extremely evitably, if there is such a word, they all wind up involved in a failing variety troupe, working the rag-end of British vaudeville in its final, melancholy days. Among Priestley's many gifts are indelible characterization, a powerful sense of place, a fine, understated sense of humor, and the ability to write stories without villains. Adversity itself is villain enough in this world. The book reminds me of Dickens in both its humor and its theatricality but that's not to take away from Priestley's individuality. THE GOOD COMPANIONS was a sensational best-seller in its day, it's been the basis of several stage plays and half a dozen movies (Judi Dench, who starred in one of the films, provides an introduction to this excellent Kindle edition) and Priestley spent the rest of his life trying to write something that would make people stop thinking of him as the author of THE GOOD COMPANIONS. Just in case I haven't made myself clear, I love this book.

This is a Feel Good book, and I loved it. It is extremely evocative of time and place--namely, late 20's small town Britain, with characters and settings that are beautifully described. The situations are believable. The main characters are as individual as one could possibly imagine; Miss Trant, an unmarried woman in her late 30's from a well-to-do family, Jess, a working man from Yorkshire, and Inigo, a young teacher with a special musical talent. All three find themselves on the road with no aim and no ties, and their adventure is one that is both amusing and interesting. I loved this book.

An entertaining book that comes together very nicely at the end.

I remember reading this masterpiece during childhood ...and suddenly it had vanished from public view for the last few decades! I hunted the entire city from libraries to second hand book stalls to roadside vendors till one year ago I stumbled upon this work in a small roadside stall. Rereading this classic was a enriching experience. In haunting, subtle, melodious prose the author has brought to life an era and generation which has passed into oblivion. Yet... The timelessness of this book endures. Without descending into dark, depressing and morose prose, he has captured the life of rural England and the middle class during the depression. Yet the themes of hardship, human endurance and the ability of humanity to seek hope in the worst of time are eternal and relevant to this day. So for those who have missed the magic of J. B. Priestley, get drawn into his spell....enjoy!

A wonderful old favourite available on audio CD's. Received in great condition amd the reader is great, handling the different genders, accents and classes spot on. a treat to listen to over and over again. The characters are real and you find yourself rooting for them all.The Good Companions is a terrific companion.

Read this book 35 years ago in Hungarian. My original book was destroyed so I was supper happy to buy it again in the original language it was written in. Delightful story. The book I received was a 1st edition (1929) and in very good condition.

This is a great book. I loved the way each chapter was devoted to a different character and seen from their viewpoint. The different personalities are fascinating and believable, and the story as it was developing was great. But I gave up less than half-way through because one of the major characters has a strong - I'm not sure what - some kind of Brit rural accent. When it was just him and his thoughts, I could deal with it. But when he met up with some other characters with a more citified (London?) accent, including Cockney rhyming slang, it stopped being enjoyable, and became a real chore for this American to slog through. This is not in any way a criticism of the writing - I just didn't enjoy trying to decipher the accents. The chapters about the "spinster" lady and the conceited and irritating young teacher were wonderful.

an excellent book from an excellent english author, this is a tale of the 1920's, when radio was yet to come, cars were almost a rarity, and 'movies' were at their earliest. entertainment was generated through wind-up gramophones, sing-alongs and concert parties and revues which travelled the land. the characters are such that the reader identifies with them almost at once. although priestley himself did not fully give his book the credit it deserves, most of the world's readers would agree that this is priestley's most-loved novel. a very good selection of photos relating to the various movies and musicals enhanced the ebook, as did the many short bio's and anecdotes from a considered selections of relations, actors, producers, et al.

I laughed a lot reading this, out loud. Every character is perfectly crafted in just a few paragraphs and speech patterns. As an English man living in France, these characters made me nostalgic and home sick, as lovely and charming as they all are.

The writing was superb - lots of subtle humour. Well drawn characters and a well developed plot. After page 500, I rather wanted it to be over, but carried on to the end anyway to see what happens, and glad I did. S feel good book and s long, satisfying read.

Really nice read and a classic, good book for holiday reading and does not task one's brain with complex plots and intrigue. Easy reading for winding down.

Great to re-read this on Kindle edition, a fabulous book, very atmospheric, a true classic.

Published in 1929. A working-class Yorkshireman, a disreputable young schoolmaster, and a colonel’s daughter – each abandons an unsatisfactory life for the open road. They come across each other, fall in with a failing theatrical touring company and set about making it a success.My heart sank when I found this reading-group choice had 621 pages, but I’m really glad to have read it. Against the advice of his publisher, and with the collaborative and financial support of Hugh Walpole, Priestley said, ‘I saw no reason why the picaresque novel should vanish with the stagecoach. Why not one about my own England of the 1920s?’ The publisher was wrong – it fast achieved huge sales and has since been adapted several times for stage, screen and radio.Exquisitely written, wryly amusing, intricately plotted, it is deservedly a twentieth-century classic.