Arnold Bennett

A long-neglected twentieth century masterpiece about the lives of two sisters, spanning seventy years of hte nineteenth century form Northern England to Paris. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY SATHNAM SANGHERA. You might find it hard to imagine that those stout ageing spinsters living quietly in small English towns ever led lives of passion or hardship, that they ever possessed beauty or romantic ideals. In "The Old Wives' Tale," Arnold Bennett tells the story of two such old wives, sisters Constance and Sophia, from youth, through marriage, heartbreak, triumphs and disasters, to old age. In doing so, he reveals with careful compassion the intense inner lives that throb beneath every seemingly insignificant exterior."

First published in 1908, The Old Wives' Tale affirms the integrity of ordinary lives as it tells the story of the Baines sisters--shy, retiring Constance and defiant, romantic Sophia--over the course of nearly half a century. Bennett traces the sisters' lives from childhood in their father's drapery shop in provincial Bursley, England, during the mid-Victorian era, through their married lives, to the modern industrial age, when they are reunited as old women. The setting moves from the Five Towns of Staffordshire to exotic and cosmopolitan Paris, while the action moves from the subdued domestic routine of the Baines household to the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

Experience the wit and charm of Arnold Bennett's "The Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four Acts," a classic of English drama. This satirical comedy transports you to London and a world of whimsical fantasy. Bennett's enduring play offers a delightful escape, exploring themes relevant to audiences across generations. This meticulously prepared print edition allows you to rediscover this important work of English literature in its original form. A staple of theater and dramatic studies, "The Great Adventure" provides a glimpse into the social commentary and comedic brilliance that defined its era. Immerse yourself in the world of this timeless play, perfect for readers and performers alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.