The Old Wives' Tale

The Old Wives' Tale

The Old Wives Tale is a novel by Arnold Bennett that follows the lives of two women, Constance and Sophia. Bennett shares his experience of writing the novel, including his initial inspiration from the French novel 'Une Vie' and his decision to create two heroines instead of one. He discusses the challenges he faced in completing the novel, including the distractions of London and the research required for the French portion of the story. Bennett also reflects on the initial reception of the book and its gradual acceptance by the English public. The novel explores themes of self-confidence, am...

The Old Wives Tale is a novel by Arnold Bennett that follows the lives of two women, Constance and Sophia. Bennett shares his experience of writing the novel, including his initial inspiration from the French novel 'Une Vie' and his decision to create two heroines instead of one. He discusses the challenges he faced in completing the novel, including the distractions of London and the research required for the French portion of the story. Bennett also reflects on the initial reception of the book and its gradual acceptance by the English public. The novel explores themes of self-confidence, ambition, and the ordinary lives of people during extraordinary events. It provides a unique perspective on the Siege of Paris and challenges the conventional historical narrative. 'The Old Wives Tale' is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that showcases Bennett's storytelling skills and his ability to capture the complexities of human life.

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