Showing results by author "Booth Tarkington" in All Categories

A collection of adult stories - sad, humorous, and adventurous - about Man's Best Friend. NOTE: Some of these selections contain violence and racial stereotypes that will be objectionable to some listeners. - Summary by TriciaG

Set against the backdrop of a hurricane-ravaged railway station, Intimate Strangers unfolds the story of a young girl and a perplexed lawyer, both at a crossroads in their lives. With humor and charm, we follow them from the station to the girls home, where the lawyer, initially dismissive of the girl’s age and boldness, finds himself at the mercy of her adventurous spirit. As he grapples with his own preconceptions about brazen young huzzies in breeches, he is hilariously drawn into her world, leading to unexpected revelations and delightful comedy.

Published in 1923, Midlander is the third novel in Booth Tarkington’s acclaimed Growth trilogy, which also features The Turmoil and The Magnificent Ambersons. Renamed National Avenue in 1927, this captivating story follows Dan Oliphant, a figure of boundless optimism who possesses a unique foresight about the impending transformation of his Midwestern market town into a bustling industrial city. Through a series of vivid vignettes, the novel explores Dans life and the diverse reactions of his family to both his character and the sweeping changes around them. At its core, Midlander poses ...

In the heart of small-town America during the early 1900s, the charming yet wayward Joe Louden finds himself hopelessly in love with the daughter of a wealthy judge. After leaving town to pursue a law degree, he returns with a mission—to defend the seemingly impossible and challenge the status quo. As he takes on scandalous cases, Joe not only wins the hearts of his fellow townsfolk but also ignites a conversation about social inequity, honor, and the changing tides of morality. Join us for a tale that explores the complexities of love, ambition, and the struggle for justice in a time of ...

Dive into the world of Alice Adams, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that vividly captures the struggles of a lower middle-class Midwestern family at the dawn of the 20th century as they strive to ascend the social ladder. At the center of this poignant tale is Alice, a determined young woman yearning for a better life and a place in society. As noted by Gerard Previn Meyer, Alice Adams transcends its role as a social history; it resonates with readers through its depiction of a lovable girl who, despite her flaws, captures our hearts. (Summary by Jeannie)

In a world where a gentlemans identity is defined more by his essence than his actions, the Amberson familys reputation hangs in a delicate balance. At the heart of this struggle is George Amberson Minafer, the sole heir expected to uphold his familys proud traditions. Despite the elegance provided by wealthy relatives, George is a young man consumed by superficiality. This is a consequence, perhaps, of his mothers unwavering love, which prioritizes his happiness over her own. As Georges perceptive uncle notes, “life and money both behave like loose quicksilver in a nest of cracks.” Amidst...

Dive into the world of The Magnificent Ambersons, a captivating 1918 novel by Booth Tarkington that earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1919. This gripping tale is the second installment of the Growth trilogy, which also includes The Turmoil (1915) and The Midlander (1923, later retitled National Avenue). Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, the story chronicles the rise and fall of the aristocratic Amberson family across three generations in a fictional Midwestern town, capturing the essence of a nation in the throes of industrialization and social upheaval. As the Ambersons ...

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 ...

Turmoil is the captivating first novel in the Growth trilogy, which also features The Magnificent Ambersons (1918) and The Midlander (1923, later retitled National Avenue in 1927). In 1942, Orson Welles brought the second volume to life with his film adaptation, also titled The Magnificent Ambersons. This trilogy intricately explores the evolution of the United States through the lens of the declining fortunes of the aristocratic Amberson family in a fictional Midwestern town, set against the backdrop of the rapid industrialization and socio-economic transformation that occurred between the ...

"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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.