Slow down and let yourself go

For the first hour or so I wasn't at all sure I liked this audiobook. Arnold Bennett seemed to witter on a lot and while the reader was good at accents, he was a bit over-dramatic for my taste I thought. Gradually I got drawn in further and further however. I got completely absorbed in the tale of Constance and then the tale of Sophia. Not only was this a riveting story; sometimes Bennett's observations on the way human beings think and react were so accurate and timeless it was breathtaking. I now agree it's a masterpiece.

21 people found this helpful

Masterly narration by David Haig

This is a superb work. Bennett‘s sweep of social history in provincial Bursley during the Victorian era is enlightened at all points by gentle irony and sardonic wit. The section which describes the Siege of Paris is fascinating and conveys a picture of conditions under the Siege which is quite different from that which we often imagine. The characterisation is masterly. The contrasting characters of the two sisters are portrayed with sympathy and understanding and the supporting characters are no less compelling. This really is compulsive listening – you won’t want to stop once you have started. David Haig’s narration is superb – his intonation and inflections convey the tone of the work perfectly - and what a joy it is to hear a narrator whose pronunciation of the French language is impeccable! I cannot praise this audio book highly enough.

17 people found this helpful

Wonderful story

I love Arnold Bennett. He tells a great story, bringing out the romance of people in and from a rather grim Victorian Potteries town. Immerse yourself in his world and let yourself go. It's a compliment to say I didn't notice the narration.

11 people found this helpful

Brilliant writing - brilliant performance.

Would you listen to The Old Wives' Tale again? Why?

I was fascinated by the historical detail from the provincial background of the Potteries to the excitement and tension of Paris in the 1870s.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was intrigued by the character of Sophia - high-spirited and wilful in her youth, but determined and resourceful when circumstances left her destitute. Constance was rather insipid in contrast but provided a perfect foil to her sister. However, all the characters were interesting. Bennett is good at revealing human weakness in a subtle non-judgemental way.

What about David Haig’s performance did you like?

This was a brilliant performance. David Haig managed to give the right tone to every description and every character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was a book to savour in small amounts. Not to be read too quickly or you will miss the flashes of wit, the gentle irony and the exquisite detail in the descriptions.

Any additional comments?

Why is Arnold Bennett so under-rated these days? He combines the wit and irony of Jane Austen with the realism of Dickens' descriptions of the Victorian urban scene.

6 people found this helpful

Moving and Often Very Amusing

Would you consider the audio edition of The Old Wives' Tale to be better than the print version?

I can't comment as I haven't read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

This was a daring subject to write about. On the face of it, it might have been considered a little dull and possibly morbid before reading - a story about two provincial sisters, followed through different stages of their lives, until their deaths, but no, it is so beautifully observed and really is a social commentary, as much as a moving and sometimes beautifully funny account of two, very different lives. It was clever and subtle and I admire the author for his bravery in choosing such a subject. Delivered so very beautifully and with excellent observation.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I really loved the opening scene, the way that the author took us slowly down, almost it seemed in a 'birds eye view' style, towards the middle part of England, then closer into the Shire and then closer still, into the town and 'The Square' and then finally right into the shop, which was to be that stage setting for us to launch into meeting the two young ladies that we were to follow from then on.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A sedate rollercoaster ride through the lives of two very different, but in their own ways extraordinary, sisters. Moving and Hilarious, all in one beautifully crafted package.

Any additional comments?

When Sofia died, I genuinely felt personally bereaved! I wanted both sisters (and their lovely dogs) to live forever, so I could continue to follow them, through the ups and downs of their lives. The characters are so well defined in this book, that you really feel you know them and even the dogs have their own little personalities and odd ball traits. It is truly charming.

3 people found this helpful

A beautiful novel badly narrated

The Old Wives Tale is one of the greatest classic novels of the early twentieth century:- far too generally undervalued these days. It is a novel I know well and had read again only recently. Now I fancied listening to it. Unfortunately there is very little of Arnold Bennett on Audible and only this one reading of The Old Wives Tale. It is not a good narration! Sadly David Haig reads the dialogue well enough but his reading of the narration is bizarre. Melodramatic – almost shouting – with great emphasis where there should be no emphasis and constant pauses where there should be no pauses. Very disappointing. The narration does not do justice to a beautiful and important novel.

2 people found this helpful

Better Than Bronte

Forthright exquisite prose. A nice contrast to the Bronte romances. Much more grounded and earthy and far less whimsical. Funny too. Really well read. Totally alive to a listener.

1 person found this helpful

Riveting performance.

David Haig is a wonderful actor, his voice clear and attractive and he magically evokes every tender, witty, humorous, philosophical nuance of this great story.

If you enjoy details of places, old rooms, Victorian attitudes, what motivates a character to make decisions which will affect their life and exploring the mystery of human existence, I would recommend this book. The sisters in the story are both ordinary, and extraordinary.

1 person found this helpful

Too long and whilst interesting, all rather dour

This is an extremely long book and not worth the time. Well written but, too long. The actor giving the performance was good as a narrator but, terrible with a Northern accent and so it was rather grating. I would be happy to watch an abbreviated adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s works but, not keen to read another one.

Wonderful Story with Wonderful Narration

I admit for the first few minutes I wasn't sure I was going to like this audiobook but ignore this because it quickly settles into an excellent narration by David Haig. Then I was drawn in further and further to the story of sisters Constance and f Sophia. Bennett's observations on people's lives and the vagaries of their personalities and the way they react were so accurate and timeless it was breathtaking.