The Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book Paradise
The Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book Paradise
The Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book Paradise
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The Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book ParadiseThe Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book ParadiseThe Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911) – rare, vintage, or collectible item from Deb’s Book Paradise

The Old Wives’ Tale — Arnold Bennett (Grosset & Dunlap, c.1911)

Debs Book Paradise
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Condition: ["Very Good Plus"]

Format: Hardcover

Price:
$48.00

Description

Author: Arnold Bennett
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York (by arrangement with George H. Doran Company)
Copyright: 1911
Format: Hardcover, decorated cloth
Condition: Very Good Plus. Clean, tight binding; no writing or tears. Attractive cloth boards with light, even wear. No dust jacket present; it is unclear whether a jacket was originally issued for this edition.

First published in 1908, The Old Wives’ Tale is Arnold Bennett’s masterwork and one of the great English novels of the early 20th century. The novel traces the lives of two sisters from a small provincial town in Victorian England, following their diverging paths across decades marked by social change, personal sacrifice, and quiet resilience.

Bennett’s achievement lies in his profound respect for ordinary lives. With psychological insight and compassion, he reveals how domestic routines, family obligations, and personal choices shape destiny just as powerfully as dramatic events. Though often described as a “family saga,” the novel is also a subtle meditation on time, memory, and the limited options available to women in the 19th century.

This early Grosset & Dunlap edition is especially appealing for its period typography and interior design, which reflect the transitional moment between Victorian and modern book aesthetics. The fonts, spacing, and layout provide an immersive reading experience that situates the reader firmly in the era in which the novel was first embraced by the public.

Arnold Bennett was one of the most widely read and influential English novelists of his generation, admired for his realism and his serious treatment of women’s inner lives. The Old Wives’ Tale remains his most enduring and celebrated work.

Why You’ll Love This Book

  • A landmark novel of Edwardian-era popular fiction and literary realism

  • Rich portrayal of women’s lives across generations

  • Beautiful early 20th-century typography and book design

  • Ideal for readers who enjoy George Eliot, Edith Wharton, or Elizabeth Gaskell

  • A handsome, jacketless volume well suited for reading, collecting, or display
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