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Cover of A Likely Story

A Likely Story

Written by William De Morgan

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Fantasy fictionMarried peopleLondon (England)PortraitsArtists

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About this book

"A Likely Story" by William De Morgan is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a married couple, Reginald and Euphemia Aiken, who appear to be constantly bickering, reflecting on the complexities of domestic life and relationships. The narrative also includes the character of Sairah, their maid, who unintentionally creates tension after mishandling a valuable painting, setting off a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings. The opening of the novel sets up a humorous situation with the Aikens in their Chelsea studio, navigating the challenges of a cold, foggy day while arguing about household matters. Reginald struggles with lighting gas in their studio as Sairah, the maid, becomes frustrated with his demands. Their domestic squabbles shed light on deeper themes of marital discontent and societal expectations, ultimately leading to a crisis when the painting Reginald is restoring is damaged. This humorous yet poignant portrayal of their lives hints at further complications in their relationship and the dynamics between them and Sairah, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in A Likely Story, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 10 hours
  • intermediate
  • humorous
  • poignant
  • domestic

William De Morgan's "A Likely Story" delves into the intricate and often humorous complexities of early 20th-century domestic life through the lens of Reginald and Euphemia Aiken's perpetually bickering marriage. Set against the backdrop of their Chelsea studio on a cold, foggy day, the novel quickly establishes the couple's dynamic of witty, yet underlying, discontent. A seemingly minor incident involving their maid, Sairah, and a valuable painting Reginald is restoring, escalates into a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings that expose deeper marital fissures and class tensions. What begins as a domestic squabble transforms into a poignant exploration of love, resentment, and the fragility of relationships, revealing the profound impact of unspoken words and misinterpreted actions.

“"It's a curious thing about marriage, isn't it, Reginald, how one can spend a lifetime with someone and still speak entirely different languages?"”

Key themes

Marital Discord and Communication
This theme explores the intricacies and difficulties of long-term marital relationships, particularly how constant bickering, unspoken resentments, and a lack of genuine communication can erode intimacy and understanding. De Morgan delves into the psychological underpinnings of why couples, despite affection, fall into patterns of misunderstanding.
Truth vs. Misunderstanding
At the core of the narrative is the exploration of how easily truth can be obscured by differing perspectives, assumptions, and a failure to communicate clearly. The novel demonstrates that 'truth' is often subjective and constructed through individual interpretation, leading to a cascade of misunderstandings that drive the plot.
Class Dynamics and Social Expectations
The novel subtly examines the hierarchical structure of early 20th-century society, particularly the relationship between employers and domestic staff. It highlights the vulnerability of the working class (Sairah) and how their actions and perspectives are often misunderstood or dismissed by their employers, who operate under different sets of assumptions and privileges.

Worth discussing

How does De Morgan use humor to address the more serious themes of marital discontent and miscommunication?

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