The Old Wives' Tale - Bennett, Arnold

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Résumé :
The Old Wives' Tale is a classic novel written by the British author Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. Set in the Staffordshire Potteries, the narrative spans several decades and revolves around the lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines. The story delves deep into the complexities of human relationships, tracing the divergent paths of the two sisters as they navigate the challenges of love, family, and societal expectations. Through richly detailed storytelling, Bennett portrays the contrasting personalities of the sisters and their contrasting approaches to life. As they grapple with the rapidly changing world around them, the novel highlights themes of resilience, tradition, and the passage of time. With its insightful exploration of human nature and the impact of individual choices, The Old Wives' Tale remains a timeless literary work that offers a profound reflection on the human experience.

Biographie:
Enoch Arnold Bennett was born on May 27, 1867, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, to parents Enoch Bennett and Sarah Ann Longson. Although initially steered toward a legal career, he found his true vocation in writing. After moving to London, he became a journalist and later a full-time writer, producing novels, short stories, plays, and essays. Bennett's works often focused on the lives of ordinary people in industrial England, particularly in the area known as the Five Towns, which he depicted with vivid realism. His attention to the nuances of class, ambition, and provincial life gained him widespread popularity and critical attention. Some of his most notable works include The Old Wives' Tale, Clayhanger, and The Card. Beyond fiction, he was also known for keeping a detailed daily journal and writing essays on self-improvement and literary craft. His experiences in Paris and London enriched his worldview, which he expressed through his cosmopolitan characters and practical philosophical outlook. Bennett's influence extended into public life, and during World War I he worked for the British Ministry of Information. He died in London on March 27, 1931, leaving behind a significant literary legacy and a deeply personal record of early 20th-century English society....

Sommaire:
Enoch Arnold Bennett was an English author who lived from May 27, 1867, to March 27, 1931. He was best known for writing a lot of novels. From the 1890s to the 1930s, he wrote 34 books, seven collections of short stories, 13 plays (some with other writers), and a daily journal with more than a million words. He wrote stories and pieces for more than 100 newspapers and magazines. During the First World War, he worked in and briefly ran the Ministry of Information. In the 1920s, he wrote for movies. At the time, he was the most famous British author in terms of money made from book sales. Bennett was born in Hanley, in the Staffordshire Potteries, into a modest but highly mobile family. His father was a solicitor, and he wanted Bennett to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. Bennett first worked for his dad as a lawyer. When he was 21, he became a clerk at another law firm in London. He first worked as a junior editor and then as editor of a women's magazine. In 1900, he quit his job as an editor to just write full-time. He moved to Paris in 1903 because he loved French culture in general and French writing in particular. The laid-back atmosphere there helped him get over his severe shyness, especially around women....