The Midlander (ePub)

Booth Tarkington, born Newton Booth Tarkington on July 29, 1869, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was a distinguished American novelist and dramatist known for his satirical and often nostalgic depictions of Midwestern American life and his intricate characterizations. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for his novels 'The Magnificent Ambersons' (1918) and 'Alice Adams' (1921), Tarkington was a central figure in American literature during the early 20th century. 'The Midlander' (1923), a novel which later became known as 'National Avenue,' is another of Tarkington's significant works that examines the effects of rapid urban growth and change on traditional values and relationships through its protagonist Dan Oliphant and his evolving city of Zenith. Tarkington's narrative style is marked by its wit, humanity, and an unerring ear for the vernacular. Along with his extensive output of novels, he also wrote numerous plays, some of which were adapted into successful films. Tarkington was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and despite the decline of his popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, his contributions to American literary culture remain noteworthy for their exploration of the dynamic social transformations of his time. He died on May 19, 1946, and his legacy lives on in the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Indiana, ensuring that his name and his work continue to be celebrated.