Showing results for "Booth Tarkington" in Literature & Fiction

"The Magnificent Ambersons" is the 1918 novel by Booth Tarkington which won the 1919 Pulitzer Prize. It is the second novel in "The Growth Trilogy," which includes "The Turmoil"(1915) and "The Midlander" (1923). In 1942, Orson Welles directed a film version of it, also titled "The Magnificent Ambersons" and starring Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, and Anne Baxter. The novel and trilogy traces the growth of the United States through the declining fortunes of three generations of the aristocratic Amberson family.

The Magnificent Ambersons tells the story of the rise and fall of a wealthy Midwestern family as America transitions from a genteel, aristocratic society to a fast-paced, industrial age. At the center is George Amberson Minafer, the spoiled heir of the proud Amberson family, who struggles to accept change and the loss of his family's social status.

Dive into the captivating tale of two young American painters making their way in Paris. Unlike their more flamboyant contemporaries, such as the scandal-prone Larrabee Harman—whose wild escapades include a remarkable incident involving one of the painters’ cousins—these artists lead a moderate life. One fateful evening, they observe Harman on the Boulevard, accompanied by a renowned dancer. The following day, tragedy strikes as he becomes a victim of a car accident and is rushed to the hospital, his survival uncertain. Little do they know, Harman’s fate intertwines with theirs in ...

Raffaele Ansolinis life in Paris isnt as glamorous as it seems, especially when funds are running low. In a desperate bid to make ends meet, he shaves his head and transforms it into a quirky advertising space for a local theatre. But this unusual choice isnt exactly the ideal way to meet the most beautiful woman in the city. Will he manage to reconnect with her against all odds? - Summary by Carolin

In a lively Midwestern town, Laura and Cora Madison, along with their younger brother Hedrick, navigate the complex web of Cora’s array of discarded suitors. While Coras flirtatious antics exasperate the moody Hedrick, they intrigue the more reserved Laura. The unexpected return of a charming former resident and a chance encounter with a troubled young person spark a whirlwind of events that lead to an emotionally charged climax. Booth Tarkingtons writing shines with sensitivity and insight. A celebrated American novelist and playwright, Tarkington is best known for his Pulitzer ...

Bigger, newer, faster. Demolish and rebuild, then demolish and rebuild again. Smoke, soot, and noise are the badges of prosperity, and growth is for growth's sake.

The second book in what would become known as Booth Tarkington's "growth trilogy" is about a small Midwestern town rapidly transforming into a modern industrial city. The Ambersons, once the town's most glamorous old-money family, is unable to adapt to the changing environment and is slowly declining toward oblivion, while Eugene Morgan and his newly invented motorcar are the future.

Bigger, newer, faster. Demolish and rebuild, then demolish and rebuild again. Smoke, soot, and noise are the badges of prosperity, and growth is for growth's sake.

In this American classic, 17-year-old William is in the throes of first love. Lola Pratt, the object of his affection, is visiting her cousin in William's town for the summer. William finds obstacles at every turn in winning her affections, in the form of other suitors, a pesky little sister, and the necessity of the "perfect outfit". With the pomposity of Frasier Crane and the soul of a poet, William attempts to win Miss Pratt's heart and to be the sole recipient of her charming "baby talk".

Set in the Midwest in the early 20th century---the dawn of the automobile age--- The Magnificent Ambersons begins by introducing the Ambersons, the richest family in town. Exemplifying aristocratic excess, the Ambersons have everything money can buy - and more. But George Amberson Minafer, the spoiled grandson of the family patriarch, is unable to see that great societal changes are taking place.

Plucky and romantic Alice tries to rise above the crudities of her hopelessly shabby background in this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic about ambition and self-delusion. The lower-middle class Adams family faces a slow disintegration in a small Midwestern town. Alice, a social climber, is ashamed of her unsuccessful family and determined to distinguish herself.

Alice Adams follows the day-to-day life of a young woman who dreams of climbing the social ladder and escaping from her middle-class background. She struggles with the constant tension between her parents and her older brother. When a wealthy young man becomes interested in her, she weaves a fictional life during their discussions; it is eventually exposed.

The Magnificent Ambersons chronicles the changing fortunes of three generations of an American dynasty. The family serves as a metaphor for the old society that crumbled after the Industrial Revolution, as a Midwestern town spreads and darkens into a city.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel focuses on materialism and the fortunes of a Midwestern family in the early 20th century. Horseless carriages were just appearing on the scene, the strata of society was in a constant state of flux, and the inherent values of the Amberson family were fast becoming a thing of the past.

Like most children, Penrod gets caught up in his own elaborate lies with hilarious results. His friends and his dog accompany him on his many jaunts, from the stage as "the Child Sir Lancelot", to the playground, to school. They make names for themselves as "bad boys" who, fittingly, always have the most fun. This humorous, thoughtful story is a wonderful example of the real-life characterization and attention to detail for which Tarkington is celebrated.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Alice Adams chronicles the attempts of a lower middle class American midwestern family at the turn of the 20th century to climb the social ladder. The eponymous heroine is at the heart of the story, a young woman who wants a better place in society and a better life. As Gerard Previn Meyer has stated, "Apart from being the contribution to social history its author conceived it to be, [Alice Adams] is something more, that something being what has attracted to it so large a public: its portrait of a (despite her faults) 'lovable girl'." (Summary by Jeannie)

Dive into Seventeen A Tale of Youth and Summer Time and the Baxter Family, Especially William, a witty exploration of first love through the eyes of the charmingly naïve 17-year-old, William Sylvanus Baxter. Set in a quaint Midwestern town just before the onset of World War I, this delightful novel by Booth Tarkington masterfully blends humor with a nostalgic look at youth. Originally published as a series of sketches in the Metropolitan Magazine in 1914 and later compiled into a bestselling novel in 1916, Seventeen remains a timeless reflection on the follies and joys of young romance. (...

Join the uproarious adventures of Penrod Schofield and his band of friends—Sam Williams, Herman, Verman, Georgie, Maurice, and the enchanting Marjorie Jones. Experience the laughter and mischief that define their youthful escapades! (Summary by Jonathan)

Join Penrod Schofield and his lovable dog Duke on a delightful and humorous adventure through turn-of-the-century Indianapolis. Follow Penrod as he navigates life, love, and the endless mischief that seems to find him at every turn. (Summary by Jonathan)

Step into the charming world of early 20th Century Indiana with Gentle Julia, a delightful romantic comedy featuring the spirited Florence, the mischievous younger cousin of the enchanting Julia Atwater. This lively tale, reminiscent of Penrod, captures the essence of youth, family dynamics, and the whimsical adventures of growing up. (Summary by BellonaTimes)