39 pages 1 hour read

J.B. Priestley

An Inspector Calls

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1945

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley is a play that begins with the Birling family celebrating Sheila’s engagement to Gerald, only to be interrupted by Inspector Goole, who questions them about the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith who once worked at Arthur's mill. As Goole’s investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that each family member's actions contributed to Eva's tragic fate.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls receives acclaim for its tight narrative and social critique, with engaging characters and a suspenseful plot. Critics appreciate its moral questions and theatricality, although some find the dialogue dated and its didactic tone a bit heavy-handed. Overall, it remains a compelling exploration of responsibility and class.

Who should read this

Who Should Read An Inspector Calls?

Readers who relish socially conscious plays will enjoy An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. Fans of mysteries with moral implications, akin to Arthur Miller's The Crucible and Agatha Christie's works, will appreciate its themes of responsibility and class disparity. Ideal for those who value dramatic tension and societal critique.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Historical Fiction

Themes

Society: Class

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Topics

Education