The Old Wives' Tale is a novel written by Arnold Bennett and first published in 1908. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, who grow up in the small town of Bursley in Staffordshire, England. The novel spans over fifty years, from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, and explores the themes of family, love, and the passage of time.Constance is the elder sister, who is responsible and practical, while Sophia is more impulsive and rebellious. The novel follows their separate paths as they both leave Bursley and start families of their own. Constance marries a draper named Samuel Povey and eventually takes over his business, while Sophia runs away to Paris with a traveling salesman named Gerald Scales.As the years pass, the sisters face various challenges and hardships, including World War I and the death of loved ones. The novel also explores the changing social and economic landscape of England during this time period, as well as the role of women in society.The Old Wives' Tale is considered a classic of English literature and is praised for its realistic portrayal of everyday life. It has been adapted for film, television, and stage, and remains a popular read for those interested in historical fiction and family sagas.This Is A New Release Of The Original 1908 Edition.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.