Booth Tarkington’s novel, The Turmoil, does an excellent job of portraying the complexities of American society during the early 20th century. The story follows the Amberson family as they navigate the changing landscape of industrialization and social upheaval in their hometown.

Tarkington’s characters are well-developed and relatable, each struggling with their own personal demons and desires. The tensions between the old money Ambersons and the up-and-coming industrialists create a riveting narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The author’s prose is elegant and evocative, painting a vivid picture of life in the bustling city of Indianapolis. Tarkington’s keen observations on class, wealth, and societal norms add depth to the novel, making it more than just a simple story of family drama.

Overall, The Turmoil is a captivating read that offers insight into a tumultuous period in American history. Tarkington’s skillful storytelling and engaging characters make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Book Description:

The Turmoil is the first novel in the ‘Growth’ trilogy, which also includes The Magnificent Ambersons (1918) and The Midlander (1923, retitled National Avenue in 1927). In 1942 Orson Welles directed a film version based on volume 2, also titled “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

The trilogy traces the growth of the United States through the declining fortunes of three generations of the aristocratic Amberson family in a fictional Mid-Western town, between the end of the Civil War and the early part of the 20th century, a period of rapid industrialization and socio-economic change in America. The decline of the Ambersons is contrasted with the rising fortunes of industrial tycoons and other new-money families, which did not derive power from family names but by “doing things”. As George Amberson’s friend says, “don’t you think being things is ‘rahthuh bettuh’ than doing things?”