Booth Tarkington

Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) was one of the most popular writers of the early 20th Century, who first achieved acclaim with his historical romance "Monsieur Beaucaire" (1900). But his more characteristic work was found in such novels as "The Gentleman from Indiana" (1899), "The Conquest of Canaan" (1905), and the trilogy consisting of "Turmoil" (1915), "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1918) and "The Midlander" (1921). He won two Pulitzer Prizes for novels, for "The Magnificent Ambersons" and for "Alice Adams" (1921). "The Magnificent Ambersons" was memorably filmed by Orson Welles in 1942. Tarkington is also noted for several charming, idealized novels about childhood and adolescence, such as "Penrod" (1914) and "Seventeen" (1916), which occur squarely in the middle of the line of literary development that leads from Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" up to Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine." They are classics of period Americana.

Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) was one of the most popular writers of the early 20th Century, who first achieved acclaim with his historical romance "Monsieur Beaucaire" (1900). But his more characteristic work was found in such novels as "The Gentleman from Indiana" (1899), "The Conquest of Canaan" (1905), and the trilogy consisting of "The Turmoil" (1915), "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1918) and "The Midlander" (1921). He won two Pulitzer Prizes for novels, for "The Magnificent Ambersons" and for "Alice Adams" (1921). "The Magnificent Ambersons" was memorably filmed by Orson Welles in 1942. Tarkington is also noted for several charming, idealized novels about childhood and adolescence, such as "Penrod" (1914) and "Seventeen" (1916), which occur squarely in the middle of the line of literary development that leads from Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" up to Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine." They are classics of period Americana.

Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) was one of the most popular writers of the early 20th Century, who first achieved acclaim with his historical romance "Monsieur Beaucaire" (1900). But his more characteristic work was found in such novels as "The Gentleman from Indiana" (1899), "The Conquest of Canaan" (1905), and the trilogy consisting of "The Turmoil" (1915), "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1918) and "The Midlander" (1921). He won two Pulitzer Prizes for novels, for "The Magnificent Ambersons" and for "Alice Adams" (1921). "The Magnificent Ambersons" was memorably filmed by Orson Welles in 1942. Tarkington is also noted for several charming, idealized novels about childhood and adolescence, such as "Penrod" (1914) and "Seventeen" (1916), which occur squarely in the middle of the line of literary development that leads from Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" up to Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine." They are classics of period Americana.

A Christmas classic from the author of "Seventeen," "Penrod," etc.

A Christmas classic from the author of "Seventeen," "Penrod," etc.

In post-World War I America, Alice Adams, a small-town girl with big ambitions, welcomes the attention of Arthur Russell, a handsome, eligible bachelor from the upper echelons of society. Alice and her family embark on a delicate game of pretense to conceal their desperate financial position and lower social standing. As she oscillates between fantasy and reality, Tarkington reveals Alice's inner turmoil and the shame, longing, and desperation that drive her decisions. Alice finds herself increasingly at odds with both her origins and the life she covets. With sharp psychological insight, Alice Adams tells a story of self-discovery, resilience, and, ultimately, a young woman's graceful embrace of her autonomy within the bounds of a socially constricted Midwestern community. Alice Adams, Tarkington's 1922 Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, was twice adapted for film; the 1935 film featured Katharine Hepburn in an Oscar-nominated performance as the indomitable Alice Adams. This Warbler Classics edition includes a detailed biographical timeline.