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Appointment in Samarra

By John O'Hara
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3.81 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara is a compelling novel set in the fictional town of Gibbsville, Pennsylvania, during the 1930s. It follows the life of Julian English, a socially prominent young man who self-destructively rebels against the expectations of his class. As his decisions unravel his life over the course of three days, the book paints a vivid picture of societal norms and personal downfall.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a gripping examination of American society during the Great Depression, depicted through the lens of a small-town socialite's self-destructive spiral. It offers a candid portrayal of class struggles, personal turmoil, and the inevitable consequences of one's actions, appealing to those interested in character-driven narratives and societal critique.

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Julian English is part of the social elite of his 1930s American hometown but from the moment he impetuously throws a cocktail in the face of one of his powerful business associates his life begins to spiral out of control - taking his loving but troubled marriage with it. This is a blackly comic depiction of the fall of Julian English.

'For all its excellence as a social panorama and a sketch of a marriage, it is as a picture of a man destroyed by drink and pride that Appointment in Samarra lives frighteningly in the mind' John Updike

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

For all its excellence as a social panorama and a sketch of a marriage, it is as a picture of a man destroyed by drink and pride that Appointment in Samarra lives frighteningly in the mind – John Updike

Julian English prides himself a member of his hometown's social elite, but from the moment he throws a cocktail in the face of a powerful business associate, his life spirals out of control, taking his loving but troubled marriage with it.

Following English's rapid decline and fall, Appointment in Samarra is a fast-paced and blackly comic portrait of 1930s America. O'Hara's debut novel introduced a prolific new voice to a generation and still stands as one of the great works of American fiction.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Appointment in Samarra is praised for its unflinching realism and avoidance of sentimentality, capturing the essence of its time with a penetrating and dramatic narrative. Critics highlight John O'Hara's ability to present a vivid and intense portrayal of characters and their surroundings. The novel is acknowledged for its honest depiction of the socio-cultural landscape of the early twentieth century, with a keen eye for detail and a sharp narrative style.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099518327

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 April 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 193g

Pages: 272

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction John O'Hara Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

John O'Hara was born in Pennsylvania on 31 January 1905. His first novel, Appointment in Samarra (1934), won him instant acclaim, and he quickly came to be regarded as one of the most prominent writers in America. He won the National Book Award for his novel Ten North Frederick and had more stories published in the New Yorker than anyone in the history of the magazine. His fourteen novels include A Rage to Live, Pal Joey, BUtterfield 8 and From the Terrace. John O'Hara died on 11 April 1970.

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