Denry the Audacious

by Arnold Bennett

"Denry the Audacious" by Arnold Bennett is a comic novel written in 1911. It follows Edward Henry Machin, a washerwoman's son in the Staffordshire Potteries, as he climbs from humble origins to become Mayor of Bursley. Through cleverness, audacity, and sheer cheek, Denry transforms himself into a local legend—altering test scores, crashing exclusive balls, launching ambitious business schemes, and charming the powerful Countess of Chell. His outrageous exploits earn him a reputation as a "card," someone who keeps tongues wagging and spirits lifted throughout the town.