First published in 1908, The Old Wives' Tale affirms the integrity of ordinary lives as it tells the story of the Baines sisters--shy, retiring Constance and defiant, romantic Sophia--over the course of nearly half a century. Bennett traces the sisters' lives from childhood in their father's drapery shop in provincial Bursley, England, during the mid-Victorian era, through their married lives, to the modern industrial age, when they are reunited as old women. The setting moves from the Five Towns of Staffordshire to exotic and cosmopolitan Paris, while the action moves from the subdued domestic routine of the Baines household to the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.
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About the Author
Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) His first novel, A Man From the North, appeared in 1898 and in 1900 he finished The Grand Babylon Hotel, published in 1902, and began Anna of the Five Towns (1902), in which he first started to use the Potteries of his boyhood as a setting for his novels. The Old Wives' Tale (1908) was written in France and it was followed by the Clayhanger trilogy: Clayhanger (1910), Hilda Lessways (1911) and These Twain (1916). His works also include several plays, two volumes of short stories and several other novels.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many books by great writers that trace the whole lives of their subjects capture your imagination and emotions effectively, but this is something special. There's something in the way Bennett writes that feels honest and real: he doesn't take the easy options in storyline and is never sentimental. As a result the characters in this novel ring true. You never think, as you may with lesser writers, 'that wouldn't happen, Sophia wouldn't do that' instead you think 'Why did she do that?' and it sets you thinking, filling in the gaps from your own experience and thus personalising the experience. The characters aren't different or special: they could be anyone, they are us... and you'll undoubtedly recognise aspects of your own life somewhere in them.
In the final section of this book Bennett asks the question 'what is life for?', and I think gets as close as you can to answering it.
In the final section of this book Bennett asks the question 'what is life for?', and I think gets as close as you can to answering it.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Arnold Bennett's 'The Old Wives Tale' is well worth the read. Bennett was just as famous as the likes of JK Rowling in his time, even more famous than Viriginia Wolfe. This book is a classic, it is set in the Potteries and tells the tale of two sisters Constance and Sophia growing up in Victorian England.
I do not want to give too much away about the story, but Bennett's understanding of these two totally different characters is what makes this book one of the greats.
I do not want to give too much away about the story, but Bennett's understanding of these two totally different characters is what makes this book one of the greats.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By T. C. Burton
Format:Paperback
Arnold Bennett is a great writer, albeit long out of fashion. In this novel he follows the careers of two sisters whose lives take completely different courses. Bennett captures the world of the potteries town of "Bursley" in the second half of the 19th century, and the very different world of Paris. His characterizations, his deep compassion for people, his evocation of place, and the accessibility of his writing make this novel a joy. The introduction by John Wain is unusually helpful and insightful. I recommend this purchase thoroughly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book!
A brilliant Arnold Bennett book, hours of reading pleasure and in my opinion, one of
Bennett's best. I just wanted a copy on my Kindle to dip into whenever I like. Read more
Bennett's best. I just wanted a copy on my Kindle to dip into whenever I like. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M J Stoke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Go back in time for a good read
I read this book years ago. Re-reading it now and really enjoying the details of mid 19th century England. Very good read.
Published 3 months ago by lulu53
5.0 out of 5 stars
I found this to be very enjoyable indeed.
This is one of the best books I have read for a long time. Not only a good story but very easy to read, in fact I could not stop reading until finished. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sybil Everitt
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
One of the classics. Marvellous to get hold of a copy and read it after many years
Thank you. Amazon
Thank you. Amazon
Published 5 months ago by Emmy
5.0 out of 5 stars
satisfaction
I chose this book for my daughters birthday. She grew up in France then moved to London. Arnold Bennett writes brilliantly about England France and the lives of two very different... Read more
Published 8 months ago by goldmine
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece
Quite simply one of the best novels I have ever read.
Buy it (its free!), read it and savour every word. It won't let you down
Buy it (its free!), read it and savour every word. It won't let you down
Published 10 months ago by Kate, North Yorkshire
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Old Wives Tale
As with all Arnold Bennett's books ,from the first few pages read I am hooked and can not put my Kindle down.
Published 14 months ago by loob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Capturing the past wonderfully
I have read this novel before in book form and I found that it works fantastically well on the kindle format, their is an intimacy to the novel that translates to kindle very well. Read more
Published 14 months ago by moggiemoran
4.0 out of 5 stars
Same in origin but diverse in life
Although more than 600 pages long, this books reads very well and is not easy to put down. Yet it is not a thriller but basically a story of two sisters who follow very different... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Discerning Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling and satisfying read
This book in my opinion shows the very best of Arnold Bennett , he isn't always the easiest of authors to read and has published a fair bit of what I consider rubbish. Read more
Published 21 months ago by twocities
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