The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington

The Magnificent Ambersons (1918) is Booth Tarkington's most famous novel and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1919.  Booth Tarkington would go on to win a second Pulitzer for Alice Adams in 1922.  That's not an easy thing to do and yet nowadays his novels have been relatively forgotten.  That's a shame because I rather liked The Magnificent Ambersons.  The characters and the story held my attention and I also think there are lessons in this novel about the dynamics within a family that remain relevant.

The Magnificent Ambersons takes place in Midland, a fictional town in Indiana at the start of the 20th century. Major Amberson the grandfather made his fortune in 1873 and with his money he begins building up the town of Midland. There is the Amberson Hotel, The Amberson Opera House, fountains, statues and above all there is the magnificent Amberson mansion where three generations of the Ambersons (the Major, his daughter Isabelle, her husband Wilbur Minafer, their son George Amberson Minafer and Aunt Fanny) reside.

One would think with all their wealth and social standing that the Ambersons would be an insufferable lot.  But actually the Major who is getting on in years just wants some peace and quiet. HIs daughter Isabelle a beautiful and lovely young woman in her day has retained that beauty and innocent good nature as the years have gone by. 

Isabelle when she was young had two suitors: Eugene Morgan and Wilbur Minafer. Eugene was the love of Isabelle's life but he was a bit wild when they were courting and so she picked the safer choice, her husband Wilbur. She is a good wife and Wilbur is a good man but then there is their only child George.  From the day he is born George is spoiled rotten.  Isabelle only sees the angel in him. The rest of the town sees something else and begins hoping that one day young George will get his “comeuppance”.

And the reader can see that day coming because for George "being" is more important than "doing".  He doesn't train for any career because he is counting on the Amberson name securing his wealth and status throughout his life.  But the early 20th century is bringing change to Midland.  New industries are flourishing, factories are opening up, automobiles are replacing horse drawn carriages.  Its becoming harder for wealthy families to live off their inheritance, particularly if like the Ambersons they start making bad investments.

But I came to the end of the novel feeling compassion for George Amberson Minafer because he's not a two dimensional character.  Yes he is a snob and deluded about what his future will look like if he doesn't start applying himself.  But George is not selfish and we see that clearly towards the end of the book in the generosity he shows his Aunt Fanny at considerable cost to himself.  Maybe George's true legacy was inheriting a bit of his mother's generous and thoughtful nature.

I recommend The Magnificent Ambersons.  Its the fourth book I have read for the Books of Summer Reading Challenge.  I better get a move on!