Rating: 
Summary: Does this author even like his characters?
Review: Reputedly, Bennett wrote this books after seeing an old woman in a restaurant and wondering what her life must be like. But, it appears he didn't trust that her life would be interesting enough, so he introduces a sister who lives a far more wayward life. As a result, he produces two different books welded together precariously by this sisterly relationship.The two sisters' stories are interesting enough (although he should have stuck with the stay-at-home sister, she's more interesting and believable). What wrecks the books is Bennett's condescending, smug attitude towards his characters. One feels that he would cross the street if these ladies ever deigned to cross his path. His snide comments about their actions and habits quickly grow tiresome. One can only hope that he ended his life alone in a garret tyrannized by the hired help. His characters deserved better.
Rating: 
Summary: BENNETT AT HIS BEST
Review: The continuing saga of a mother and her two daughters.Mrs Baines is the middle aged boisterous woman who runs rule of the family business as her invalid husband lies in wait of his demise.The Baines` have two young daughters-Constance ( intelligent and stable)and Sofia (beautiful and flighty).the ideal of the story was to examine how one would perceive "a Mrs Baines" if you were to encounter her on the street or in a cafe.would you see her as an old rude lady?Would you be able to invision the possibility that in her younger days she was as Constance and Sofia are? And ther lies the basis of the story-how does one go from being a beautiful,fun loving girl to a boisterous old lady.Well as the story delves further into their lives we witness everything that happens and therefore shapes their lives.In real life events, whether large or small will determine our next path in life and here we get to see where they end up.
A terrific read for something written in 1908.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile
Review: The Old Wives' Tale is not in any way a challenging read, but it is enjoyable and seems to be an accurate reflection of the gradual effects of time on a way of life as embodied in the Baines sisters. Bennett seems especially acute in his observation of the way habit eventually defines personality for both sisters and the grand movement of history only appears sweeping in retrospect. I am surprised by some of the earlier reviews of this novel. They seem to criticism of Bennett's source of inspiration rather than of the novel itself. Which of us has not seen an individual at some stage of development and been struck by the revelation that he or she was once an infant or teenager or young adult? This does not imply condescension. Bennett's portraits of Constance and Sophia are largely sympathetic. He does not see either as faultless and in some ways both are pathetic, but his object is to show us the whole range of each of his heroines' lives so that when we find them late in life to be stubborn and incapable of change, we can see the source of their defects without condemnation. Readers need only ask themselves at the end of novel whether he likes the sisters or not to gauge whether Bennett's portraits are sympathetic. It is hard for me to see how anyone could finish this novel wondering whether Bennett likes these women.
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing, intense read - surprisingly moving.
Review: This is the second Bennett book I read set in the Five Towns area (the first was Anna of the Five Towns). This book is longer and more complex but carries on the direct form of writing that seems to characterize Bennett's work. The direct, simple form of his prose draws the reader in and involves her in the experiences in these two women's lives. The ending, though expected, is still tragic and leaves the reader to reconsider what life is and just how it affected the sisters. I wish I could find more books by him about the five towns. I read voraciously and am always surprised by how moved I have been by Mr. Bennett's work. Readers will not be disappointed if they give him a chance.
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