Appointment in Samarra: A Novel
Appointment in Samarra: A Novel by John O’Hara is a reprint edition published by Vintage on July 8, 2003, featuring 272 pages in English. This twentieth-century classic delves into the vibrant social scene of Gibbsville in December 1930, where parties and dances abound, and the lives of the elite are intricately woven together. At the heart of this narrative are Julian and Caroline English, who find themselves at the pinnacle of social envy until a single reckless decision leads Julian on a path of self-destruction.
Readers will encounter a vivid portrayal of small-town life, marked by personal politics and underlying tensions. The novel explores themes of social dynamics and the fragility of status, capturing the essence of a bygone era. O’Hara’s keen observations provide insight into the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations, making this work a significant contribution to American literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
A twentieth-century classic, Appointment in Samarrais the first and most widely read book by the writer Fran Leibowitz called “the real F. Scott Fitzgerald.”
In December 1930, just before Christmas, the Gibbsville social circuit is electrified with parties and dances, where the music plays late into the night and the liquor flows freely. At the center of the social elite stand Julian and Caroline English—the envy of friends and strangers alike. But in one rash moment born inside a highball glass, Julian breaks with polite society and begins a rapid descent toward self-destruction. Appointment in Samarrabrilliantly captures the personal politics and easy bitterness of small-town life. It is John O’Hara’s crowning achievement, and a lasting testament to the keen social intelligence of a major American novelist.
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