A Likely Story

Name: A Likely Story
Author: William Dean Howells

By William Dean Howells

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Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A light comic farce set in a seaside cottage where a married couple's preparations for a garden party spark a sequence of social confusions. The action follows their sparring over invitations and reply cards, the arrival and reading of responses, and the comical interventions of neighbors and would-be suitors. Scenes move through breakfast-table skirmishes, drawing-room encounters, and a final domestic tableau that highlights rivalries, flirtations, and etiquette-driven anxieties. The play satirizes polite conventions and small-town social ambitions through brisk, situational humor and sharply observed domestic detail.

About the Author

William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an influential American author and literary critic, often regarded as the "Dean of American Letters." He is best known for his realistic portrayals of American life and society, particularly in the late 19th century. Howells's works often explore themes of social class and morality, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. His notable novel, "A Hazard of New Fortunes," delves into the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Throughout his career, Howells contributed significantly to the development of realism in American literature, advocating for a more truthful representation of everyday experiences.