Arthur Hailey Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

An author of British and Canadian descent, the writer Arthur Hailey was an extremely well regarded novelist during his time, leaving behind a strong and very highly rated career, along with an extensive backlog of material. Selling his work worldwide, he was well regarded by both the general public and critics alike, all due to his extensively researched books that conveyed a strong sense of realism. All this has helped to build his name as one of the most prolific authors and writers of his time, not only as a novelist, but in the world of television as well, with much of his work being adapted, along with his screen-writing credentials.

Early and Personal Life

Born on the 5th of April in 1920, the Canadian/British author Arthur Hailey was brought up in Luton, Bedfordshire in England, where he was born and raised. It was here that he was to spend his formative years, taking in the sights and sounds surrounding him, constantly inspiring him and his material in the process. With a strong passion for both reading and writing constantly driving him forwards, he would constantly come back to this keen interest of his throughout his lifetime.

Later getting involved in the second world war, he soon found himself a part of the Royal Air Force fighting on the behalf of Britain in-between the years 1939 to 1947. It was during this time that he found a lot of his ideas beginning to take shape, as he continually refined and honed his craft. This was also the time he began to lose his faith, a theme which would become a recurring motif in much of his later work.

After his time spent serving in the Royal Air Force, he went to live in Canada where he spent most of the rest of his life. Constantly writing on a part-time basis, he never gave up his dream of becoming a fully fledged novelist. He would also undertake a series of part-time jobs as well, all of which helped him to create the writer he was to later become.

It was on the 24th of November in 2004 that he sadly passed away at the age of eighty-four in his Bahamian home. Leaving behind a strong legacy though, he is still regarded as one the most prolific authors in his field to this day. As more and more look to his work discovering it every day, this looks like a trend that’s set to continue on into the foreseeable future.

Writing Career

Starting out as a writer in 1956, Arthur Hailey went on to become a ful-time writer after having only managed it as a part-time pastime up until that point. Having written the television drama ‘Flight into Danger’ for CBC Television prior to that, he was already beginning with a name for himself within the industry. Then, in 1969, he moved to California following the success of his novel ‘Hotel’ in 1965, after which he moved out to the Bahamas in order to avoid income tax payments.

With an extreme thoroughness to each of his subjects, Arthur Hailey was very well known for his ability to create a sense of realism that remains unparalleled to this day. Known for getting highly enmeshed in his subject matter, whether it be spending time with guerilla fighters, or reading a wealth of information on the hotel industry, he always made sure to fully research his books prior to writing. This has led to him not only becoming highly popular in his time, with each of his books being a guaranteed best-seller, but a writer whose legacy still lives on to this day, and will continue to do so for some time yet.

Hotel

First published in 1965, this slice-of-life novel was initially brought out through the Berkley publishing label, working as a stand-alone story with a clear narrative arc. Offering not only a glimpse into the world of a seemingly everyday hotel establishment, it also provides a look into Arthur Hailey’s roots as a writer. Showing his development as an author, readers looking to get into his sense of style will find this the ideal novel to start with, due to its easy accessibility and tone.

With a cast of colorful characters, each one with their own respective story to tell, this book is fairly episodic in nature, as it follows them all with the ‘hotel’ itself as the central foundation bloc of the narrative arc. Events such as the dentist’s convention, with a professional black dentist in attendance, clearly show factors such as the racial tensions of the day after he’s initially refused admission, leaving the convention organizers to threaten taking the convention elsewhere. With a climax surrounding all these ongoings, it really is a snapshot into the past, with a general and very real sense of character and how it was at the time. Will the establishment be brought out? Can they keep up their payments? Just what will become of the hotel?

Airport

Originally published in 1968, this was later made into a film in 1970 starring Burt Lancaster, leading to one of the biggest blockbuster movies of its period. First brought out through the Doubleday publishing label, it managed to capture what readers had come love best about the work of Arthur Hailey, with his penchant for realism and tension. Creating a strong sense of atmosphere it builds up the drama throughout its narrative, constantly working towards the exciting climax at its gripping finale, something which Hailey was a complete master of during his time, and something which writers attempt to replicate to this very day.

Taking place at a fictional airport in Chicago called Lincoln International, it largely takes place over the duration of a night, with all the ongoings and drama of a major airport. It also looks at the relationships and personal lives of the employees there, such as that of the Airport General Manager Mel Bakersfield and his marriage, which is currently facing trouble. That’s when a major snowstorm hits and the airport is faced with potentially fatal issues, as the narrative is then devoted to them and how they all deal with it. Will they avert disaster and save the day? Can Mel save his marriage or are there other options available? Just what will happen at the airport?