Michael Arlen (1895–1956,) originally Dikran Kouyoumdjian, was a British essayist, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and scriptwriter of Armenian origin. His works epitomized the fragile jollity and underlying pessimism and disillusionment of fashionable post-World War I London society.
Born in Ruschuk, Bulgaria, of Armenian descent, Arlen was educated at Malvern College, England, and Edinburgh University. He became a naturalized British citizen in 1922, lived in France from 1928 until World War II, and then settled in the U.S.
Arlen began by writing novels and short stories on modern London life. He made his reputation with Piracy (1922) and, notably, The Green Hat (1924.) Among his short story collections are The Romantic Lady (1921) and These Charming People (1923.) His last novel was The Flying Dutchman (1939.)
Arlen’s works became an inspiration for famous Hollywood movies such as A Woman of Affairs (1928,) The Golden Arrow (1936,) and The Heavenly Body (1944.)
Arlen’s son, Michael J. Arlen, wrote Exiles (1971,) a biographical book of Arlen and his wife.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Michael Arlen
All I want of the world is very little. I only want the best of everything, and there is so little of that.
—Michael Arlen
Topics: Best
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
L. P. Hartley British Writer, Critic
Douglas Adams British Author
Raymond Chandler American Novelist
Joan Aiken British Fantasy Writer
Muriel Spark Scottish Novelist, Poet
Algernon Blackwood English Novelist
John Fowles English Novelist
Laurence Housman English Novelist, Dramatist
John Galsworthy English Novelist, Playwright
Gavin Lyall English Spy Fiction Writer