The Londoners: an absurdity

About this book

"The Londoners: An Absurdity" by Robert Hichens is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around Mrs. Verulam, a disenchanted member of London's high society, who grapples with ennui and the absurdity of her life as she navigates social obligations and her interactions with various characters including her friend Mrs. Van Adam, who navigates her own turbulent backstory of divorce and newfound desires for acceptance in society. The characters' struggles against the constraints of their social environment create a rich exploration of identity and societal roles. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to Mrs. Verulam, who enters her drawing-room in the oppressive heat of a London afternoon, demonstrating a pervasive sense of weariness with her high-society routines. She and her maid, Marriner, engage in a clever dialogue that highlights the absurdities of their social engagements and the invitation cards piling up, representing the superficiality of their world. As Mrs. Verulam expresses her yearning for freedom from societal expectations, the recent arrival of Mrs. Van Adam—recently divorced—brings a fresh conflict and opportunity for both women as they consider their respective places in a society that is both alluring and confining. This sets the stage for further developments in their stories and the exploration of social absurdity in the heart of London.