Book #100
The Magnificent Ambersons
By Booth Tarkington
Starting this list with The Magnificent Ambersons couldn't have been better. I loved this book. It reminded me strongly of The Great Gatsby.
A lovely period piece, this novel was published in 1918 and chronicles the story of three generation of the same wealthy family and it's decline in the industrialization of America. The story centers around George Amberson Minafer, the grandson of the Ambersons' patriarch. George is spoiled rotten by his mother and has little grasp on the average life of a man. We see George struggle with family histories, declining wealth and the shift of industry in his home town. After sabotaging a relationship of his mother's George must adapt to an entirely alien existence.
I was in love with this book from page one. The writing and plot are as rich as the focal characters. Tarkington had me simultaneously caring for and hating George. Decades of progress unfold before the reader, involving you in the budding industrialization period in American history. This book gave life to a period in history that so often focuses on machines and products.
This book secured itself a place in my library very firmly. I would absolutely recommend this book and if ever I find myself on a quiet afternoon with nothing else to read, I'm confident I will happily reach for this book again.
To purchase The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington please visit Amazon.com or visit my Amazon aStore below.
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