Cover of The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett

The Old Wives’ Tale

by Arnold Bennett

881 pages~15 hrs

Two sisters, two worlds, and the lifetime of choices that define them.

One sister embraces the steady traditions of her English hometown while the other risks everything to escape to the dangerous allure of revolutionary Paris. This sweeping realist masterpiece explores the diverging paths of two women as they navigate love, betrayal, and the relentless march of time across decades.

Why read The Old Wives’ Tale on Smarter Classics

Click to explain

Tap any line of The Old Wives’ Tale for an instant, spoiler-free explanation drawn only from what you have already read.

Character tracking

Never lose track of who's who. Every character has a page that only reveals what has been introduced so far — no spoilers.

Pick up where you left off

Your reading position stays synced. Open The Old Wives’ Tale on any device and continue exactly where you stopped.

Smarter Classics

presents