Old Wives' Tale: A Timeless Masterpiece by Arnold Bennett

Old Wives Tale

by Arnold Bennett

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1066 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	492 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Arnold Bennett's Old Wives' Tale is a sprawling, epic novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, love, loss, and the passage of time. Published in 1908, the novel follows the lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, from their youth in a small Staffordshire town to their old age in London.

Bennett's novel is a masterpiece of realism, and his characters are so vividly drawn and so fully realized that they seem to leap off the page. Constance and Sophia are two very different women, but they are both strong and resilient in their own ways. Constance is the more conventional of the two, and she eventually marries and has children. Sophia, on the other hand, is more independent and headstrong, and she pursues a career as a singer.

The novel follows the sisters through the many ups and downs of life, and Bennett does a masterful job of capturing the changing social and cultural landscape of England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The novel is full of rich detail, and Bennett's descriptions of the characters' surroundings are so evocative that the reader feels as if they are right there alongside them.

Old Wives' Tale is a deeply moving and insightful novel that has stood the test of time. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and it is a testament to Bennett's skill as a writer that he was able to create such a timeless masterpiece.

If you are looking for a novel that is both epic in scope and deeply moving, then I highly recommend Old Wives' Tale. It is a classic of English literature, and it is a novel that you will never forget.

Themes

Old Wives' Tale is a novel that explores a wide range of themes, including:

• Love and loss
• Marriage and family
• Social class
• The passage of time
• The nature of reality

Bennett does not offer any easy answers to these complex questions, but he does provide a profound and moving exploration of the human experience.

Characters

Old Wives' Tale features a cast of unforgettable characters, including:

• Constance Baines: The elder sister, Constance is a kind and gentle woman who is devoted to her family. She is the epitome of the Victorian ideal of womanhood.
• Sophia Baines: The younger sister, Sophia is more independent and headstrong than Constance. She is a talented singer who pursues a career on the stage.
• Samuel Povey: A childhood friend of the Baines sisters, Samuel is a kind and gentle man who is secretly in love with Constance.
• Gerald Scales: A wealthy and charming man, Gerald is Sophia's first love. He is a handsome and charismatic man, but he is also a cad.
• Mr. Baines: The father of the Baines sisters, Mr. Baines is a stern and unyielding man. He is a successful businessman, but he is also a bully and a tyrant.
• Mrs. Baines: The mother of the Baines sisters, Mrs. Baines is a kind and gentle woman who is devoted to her family.

These are just a few of the many memorable characters that populate Old Wives' Tale. Bennett's characters are so fully realized that they seem to leap off the page, and they stay with the reader long after they finish reading the novel.

Legacy

Old Wives' Tale is considered to be one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. It has been praised by critics for its realism, its psychological insight, and its beautiful prose. The novel has been adapted into several films and television series, and it continues to be read and enjoyed by readers around the world.

Old Wives' Tale is a timeless masterpiece that deserves to be read by anyone who loves great literature. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and it is a testament to Bennett's skill as a writer that he was able to create such a lasting work of art.

Old Wives Tale

by Arnold Bennett

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1066 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	492 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE