About this book
William Dean Howells' *Five O'Clock Tea* is a delightful romantic comedy that unfolds entirely within the genteel confines of a drawing room tea party. Structured as twelve witty, fast-paced scenes, this dramatic work captures the effervescent social dynamics of the Gilded Age with sharp humor and charming character interactions.
The story centers on Mrs. Amy Somers, a widow navigating the marriage market with grace and practicality, and the endearingly earnest Mr. Willis Campbell, whose clumsy attempts at courtship provide endless comic moments. As guests arrive and depart throughout the afternoon gathering, misunderstandings multiply, romantic intentions clash, and the careful social choreography of Victorian courtship becomes hilariously transparent. Howells masterfully mines comedy from the gap between what characters say and what they truly mean, exposing the performative nature of polite society.
Originally written for the stage, this intimate drama showcases Howells' keen ear for dialogue and his affectionate mockery of American social pretensions. The confined setting paradoxically allows for maximum dramatic tension as emotions simmer beneath proper decorum.
Perfect for listeners who appreciate period comedies with substance beneath their humor, *Five O'Clock Tea* offers an entertaining window into nineteenth-century courtship customs and the timeless absurdities of social interaction. An ideal choice for those seeking witty, sophisticated entertainment.
