The Marvelous Ambertons

The title should be "The Marvelous Ambertons", The word marvelous is truly marvelous and tragically underused. It is far superior to great or excellent, it may even surpass my favorite over-the-top positive adjective brilliant. But, the title is magnificent - good, but not marvelous.

This author, Booth (really) Tarkington, seems to have a grudge against the fabulously wealthy, represented here by the Ambertons. Magnificence suggests a glittering life, a sparkling legacy and a dazzling prowess. In the first paragraph, however, we learn the Amberson's magnificence did indeed sparkle, but is a thing of the past. The novel is going to focus on their downfall from the pinnacle of magnificence. And I have a feeling the author will not be treating them kindly.

The first three chapters have whipped over the senior Amberson's building of a small empire in Midland, his daughter's marriage to a lowly husband, and the childhood of George, the grandson and our protagonist. He is already juicily unlikable. As a 10 year old, George tells a reverend to 'go to hell". I loved how his mother, Isabel, failed spectacularly to reprimand her son: ""He's just riff raff" said Georgie. "You musn't say so," his mother gently agreed."" I find myself daydreaming about my own upcoming motherly discipline moments, I hope I am not such a pushover.

So again there is a male protagonist and the setting is a different century. I am, however, hopeful. I mean what's better than see the filthy rich fall from grace.