The Old Wives' Tale

The Old Wives' Tale is a novel written by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, who were born and raised in the small town of Bursley, England during the mid-19th century. The sisters are very different in personality, with Constance being responsible and practical, while Sophia is more impulsive and fanciful. As the years go by, the sisters' lives take very different paths. Constance marries a draper and settles into a comfortable, middle-class existence, while Sophia runs away with a travelling salesman and lives a more bohemian lifestyle. Despite their differences, the sisters remain connected throughout their lives, and the novel explores their individual journeys as well as their relationship with each other.The Old Wives' Tale is a richly detailed and evocative portrait of life in Victorian England, and Bennett's writing is praised for its vivid descriptions of the characters, settings, and social mores of the time. The novel is also noted for its feminist themes, as it challenges traditional gender roles and explores the ways in which women were constrained by society in the 19th century.1908. It is generally conceded by critics, and certainly it is staunchly maintained by hosts of readers, that Arnold Bennett�������s most notable literary achievement is The Old Wives������� Tale. This chronicle of the Five Towns and France during the Siege of Paris is a project of heroic proportions, accomplished with infinite skill, and of a scope that invites comparison with the greatest novels of the Victorian era. It is a tale of ordinary people during extraordinary times, told with an insight encountered only in the works of the masters of fiction. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.