Five O'Clock Tea (1894)

Five O'Clock Tea is a novel written by William Dean Howells and published in 1894. The story revolves around a group of upper-class Americans who gather for tea every day at five o'clock. The main character, Mrs. Gregory, is a wealthy widow who hosts the tea parties. She is joined by her friends, including the elderly Mrs. Bowen, the flirtatious Mrs. Wilson, and the intellectual Mr. Morton.The novel explores the social dynamics and relationships between the characters as they gossip, flirt, and discuss their lives and the world around them. As the story progresses, tensions rise, and secrets are revealed, leading to a dramatic climax that challenges the characters' values and beliefs.Through his characters, Howells critiques the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class and exposes the flaws and contradictions of American society in the late 19th century. The novel also touches on themes such as gender roles, marriage, and the pursuit of happiness.Overall, Five O'Clock Tea is a satirical and insightful portrayal of American society during the Gilded Age, and a timeless commentary on human nature and the complexities of social interactions.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.