The Old Wives' Tale
Arnold Bennett
Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
The Old Wives' Tale is a novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. It deals with the lives of two very different sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, following their stories from their youth, working in their mother's draper's shop, into old age. It is generally regarded as one of Bennett's finest works. It covers a period of about 70 years from roughly 1840 to 1905, and is set in Burslem and Paris. (Summary by Andy) (23 hr 18 min)
Chapters
| Preface | 11:37 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Mrs. Baines Ch 1 The Square | 49:37 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Ch 2 The Tooth | 25:19 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk1 Ch 3 A Battle Pt 1 | 41:02 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk1 Ch 3 A Battle Pt 2 | 38:40 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Ch 4 Elephant | 41:57 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Ch 5 The Traveller | 45:11 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Ch 6 Escapade | 42:49 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 1 Ch 7 A Defeat | 34:00 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Constance Ch 1 Revolution | 44:35 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk2 Ch 2 Christmas and the Future | 39:31 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 3 Cyril | 47:01 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 4 Crime | 43:07 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 5 Another Crime Pt 1 | 36:29 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 5 Another Crime Pt 2 | 43:00 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 6 The Widow | 28:11 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 7 Bricks and Mortar | 32:04 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 2 Ch 8 The Proudest Mother | 25:57 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Sophia Ch 1 The Elopement | 29:43 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 2 Supper | 37:11 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 3 An Ambition Satisfied | 44:47 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 4 A Crisis for Gerald | 46:29 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 5 Fever Pt 1 | 57:30 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 5 Fever Pt 2 | 27:08 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 6 The Siege | 1:03:41 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 3 Ch 7 Success | 44:15 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| BBk 4 What Life is Ch 1 Frensham's Pt 1 | 33:52 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 1 Frensham's Pt 2 | 43:00 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 2 The Meeting | 1:02:37 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 3 Towards Hotel Life Pt 1 | 48:47 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 3 Towards Hotel Life Pt 2 | 47:31 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 4 End of Sophia Pt 1 | 38:01 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 4 End of Sophia Pt 2 | 42:40 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
| Bk 4 Ch 5 End of Constance | 1:01:14 | Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017) |
Reviews
A Masterpiece
A LibriVox Listener
Brilliant, funny, poignant. People should read this book to understand that no one escapes the passage of time and old age, unless, of course, there is the tragedy of early death. The book was beautifully read. Thank you so much Andy Minter. You should be knighted
An impressive recording
Philippe Horak
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. Many thanks to Mr Minter's excellent recording. A real pleasure to listen to!
A gem
A LibriVox Listener
This is a fantastic book...i can't believe it's not better well known and Arnold Bennett is up there with some of the greatest English writers of all time despite the fact that a lot of people would not even know him...ive been listening to a lot of books on Librivox and along with some well known Thomas Hardy novels this book is as good as anything I've ever listened to...there is a beautiful sadness to the story as Bennett takes us through the lives, the joys and more often than not the disappointments of Constance and Sofia...there is something beautiful about the way he writes of their lives..the reader is brilliant...listen to this book and if you don't know anything about it or the author you wont be disappointed
amazing book
ameyer99
amazing book an amazing narrator Andy Minter r is a fantastic narrator and it is very sad that he has left this world but I am very grateful to him for all of the narrating that he did. This book is amazing because it covers two young girls lives all the way from their youth until their deaths so so good
A wonderful story, brilliantly read
Christopher Durant
Arnold Bennett's skill in describing and illuminating day to day lives and relationships is mind blowing. The reader's skill is unsurpassed, in particular his subtle and consistent variations in speech patterns and accents adds just the right amount of colour to AB's wonderful dialogue. Just great all round.
A hidden jewel
A LibriVox Listener
I came across this book by chance and loved it! A fascinating story with a terrific, dry sense of humor. Thought- provoking and somewhat bittersweet. The reader is very talented and only adds to the work. Quite enjoyable.
an absolute gem
A. Dubitante
This tale "might be the best book ever written" (New York Times) and I for one have lived in it for all the hours the wonderful Mr. Minter has read it to me. And then some, reflecting on it, its people, its deep inner truth, its wise humor and moral truths… for, as are in life, there are several. And some dogs, too. I look forward to revisiting, if at all possible, in a decade or so, when, no doubt, I shall understand more and different things in this timeless work of art. Read so capably and tenderly by Andy Minter. Thank you!
Fascinating story, beautifully read
Dave Plume
This book follows the lives of three women, a mother and her two daughters, and is written in several parts recounting each of their lives covering parts of each from different perspectives. There is no grand story, but rather and unfolding of each life with its momentous and trivial events. I was enthralled listening to it and found the story fascinating. Andy Minter is an fabulous narrator. The book is beautifully narrated (as always).