The Old Wives' Tale
by Arnold Bennett
$3.99$1.00
Digital Edition available in epub and pdf.
The Old Wives’ Tale is a sweeping family saga that follows the lives of two very different sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, from their quiet upbringing in England's Potteries district to the challenges and triumphs of adulthood. Though raised under the same roof, the sisters choose dramatically different paths. Constance remains close to home, embracing duty, marriage, and tradition, while the adventurous Sophia runs away to pursue an uncertain future on the European continent. As decades pass, each woman experiences love, disappointment, loss, resilience, and the relentless passage of time. Bennett masterfully captures the ordinary moments that shape extraordinary lives, portraying the emotional depth and quiet heroism found in everyday existence. Richly detailed and deeply humane, the novel explores themes of family, ambition, aging, social change, and personal identity against the backdrop of Victorian and Edwardian England. Widely regarded as Arnold Bennett's masterpiece, The Old Wives’ Tale is celebrated for its vivid characters, realistic storytelling, and compassionate insight into the lives of ordinary people, making it one of the great classics of English literature.
Quote from the book—
“The romance of life begins and ends with ourselves.”
—Arnold Bennett, The Old Wives’ Tale
Discover the richly woven story of two sisters across decades in 'The Old Wives' Tale' by Arnold Bennett. Experience the intricate details of Victorian life and timeless themes of love, ambition, and family. This digital edition offers a captivating reading experience for fans of classic literature.
Also available in Paperback.
Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) was an English novelist, journalist, playwright, and essayist best known for his vivid portrayals of life in the Potteries district of Staffordshire, known collectively as the Five Towns. Born in Hanley, he drew extensively on his upbringing to create realistic and richly detailed novels, including Anna of the Five Towns, The Old Wives’ Tale, and the Clayhanger trilogy. Bennett became one of the most popular and commercially successful British authors of the early twentieth century. His works are celebrated for their psychological insight, social realism, and memorable characters, leaving a lasting legacy in English literature.
