Booth Tarkington Books In Order

Publication Order of The Growth Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Penrod Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Standalone Plays

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Booth Tarkington was a famous playwright, author, and dramatist from America, who liked to write plays and literature & fiction novels. He was particularly famous for writing the novels, Alice Adams and The Magnificent Ambersons. Over the course of his writing career, he had written many single novels and a couple of trilogies, The Growth Trilogy and the Penrod trilogy. Author Booth is among the only three authors, who have been awarded with the Pulitzer Prize for more than one time, along with John Updike and William Faulkner. Booth was born on July 2, 1869 in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. His full name was Newton Booth Tarkington and was the son of Elizabeth and John Tarkington. Author Booth’s name was kept after his maternal uncle named Newton, who California’s governor at that time. Booth also had relationship with the Chicago Mayor named James Woodworth through James’ wife Almyra Booth Woodworth. Author Booth had completed his primary education from the Shortridge School and secondary education from Phillips Academy. Later, he studied at the Purdue University for a period of 2 years. Booth had become a member of the Morley Eating Club and the Sigma Chi Fraternity at the university. After some years, Booth donated money to Purdue for constructing the residence hall for men. The University named the hall after his family name and also awarded an honorary to him. When Booth’s family regained some of its wealth that was lost in 1873’s Panic, his mother admitted him to the Princeton University. Booth’s fellow members at university’s club used to refer him as ‘Tark’. As a student, author Booth was highly active in the field of drama and had also become Dramatic Association’s president at Princeton. Eventually, Booth participated in various plays at university level, including Katherine, The Honorable Julius Casesar, etc. After laying the foundation of the drama club, called The Triangle Club, he also became Ivy Club’s earliest member. While pursuing graduation, Booth socialized an a lot with an associate member of the Ivy Club, Woodrow Wilson. The two remained in contact throughout their lives.

Even though author Booth was not able to obtain his undergraduate degree, he was voted as the most popular student of 1893’s batch. His popularity had earned him a special place in the campus society of Princeton. As a writer, author Booth was known for writing romanticized and satirical stories about American Midwesterners. He was prolific and versatile in his work. Booth had gained recognition very early in his writing career with this melodramatic novel, The Gentleman from Indiana. This novel reflected his disillusionment with the increased level of corruption in the process of lawmaking that he observed firsthand when he was an Indiana legislature’s member between 1902 and 1903. One of Booth’s immensely popular novels, Monsieur Beaucaire, was adapted for a stage play. In his Penrod series, author Booth has given humorous portrayals of adolescence and boyhood. All the 3 books of this series went on to become classics among young people. His other popular book, Alice Adams, was actually a character study. It is considered as the most finished book of Booth. He continued to develop female characters in his later books and also scripted many plays around strong females. Overall, Booth’s novels have appeared on the annual bestseller lists for 9 times. Author Booth was considered to possess a charming, informal style, with a gift for successful characterizations. He also had a critical vision towards sentimental melodrama. Booth died on May 19, 1946, at his home in Indianapolis.

A successful book written by Booth Tarkington is entitled ‘The Magnificent Ambersons’. It was released in the year 1918. The novel, which is the second installment of the Growth series, helped author Booth win his first Pulitzer Prize. In 1925, this book was adapted into a movie called Pampered Youth. Again in 1942, a film was made based on the story of this book. It was written and directed by Orson Welles. Author Booth has set the story in Indianapolis’ fictionalized version. It is believed that much of the setting was inspired by the Woodruff Place neighborhood. This novel traces the growth of America through 3 generations of the Amberson family. The events take place between the ending of the Civil War and the beginning of the twentieth century. During this period, rapid socioeconomic changes and industrialization took place in America. And with the decline of the fortunes of the Ambersons, industrial tycoons and other wealthy families gained fortunes. These new families gained power by doings things, rather than using their family names. The Ambersons were the most powerful and prosperous ones in the whole town initially. However, several family members get spoiled, while some others get involved in undesirable activities as time passes by. One such member is George Amberson Minafer. The pampering from his mother spoils him very much. He becomes arrogant. When fails to succeed in love because of his mother’s affair with the girl’s father, George loses control. And with the decline of his family’s prosperity, his own life comes to an end.

Another famous novel that author Booth wrote is called ‘Alice Adams’. It was published in 1921 and helped Booth win the second Pulitzer Award of his career. The novel was adapted into a Hollywood film by Rowland Lee in 1923. One more movie was made on this book by George Stevens in 1935. The story revolves around the life of a young woman named Alice Adams, who tries to overcome the social barriers of her life. Alice is supported in her effort by a rich man called Arthur Russell. Booth has described the events of the plot to have taken place in lower middle class background just after the end of the First World War. At the beginning of the novel’s story, it is shown that Alice Adams’ father, Virgil Adams, gets bedridden due to illness. This causes tension to arise in the family. Virgil’s wife asks him to work for his boss after his recovery from illness. Seeing the increasing tensions, Alice tries to maintain the family peace. She wishes to get in touch with the high society people, but her middle class status prevents her from doing so. So, she befriends a rich girl and follows her to rich people’s gatherings. However, Alice’s brother, Walter, does not like all this as he hates the upper class people and their parties. When Alice’s ambitions of making it big in life get tempered, she accepts her situation with style and grace. But, Arthur Russell comes forward to help her. He feels drawn towards her and respects her for what she is. With the support of Russell, Alice manages to sort out the financial and social problems of life. The book was liked every much by the readers because of its compelling story and interesting characters. Even the critics liked it a lot and reviewed it well.

2 Responses to “Booth Tarkington”

1. Marcia Rigamonti: 2 years ago

   I don’t see “The Turmoil” by Booth Tarkington on this comprehensive list. The copy I have shows it was first published in 1914. I have a 1915 edition. Would it be worth anything?

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Hi Marcia – it’s listed at the very top.

     Reply