Overdue Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Overdue
• Host/Authors: Andrew and Craig
• Episode: Ep 702 - Alice Adams by Booth Tarkington
• Release Date: May 12, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with Andrew and Craig setting the stage for a deep dive into Booth Tarkington's Alice Adams, marking it as part of their "Tark Week" celebration.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig (02:32): "Welcome to Overdue, a podcast about the books you've been meaning to read."
• Andrew (02:37): "It's Tark week."

2. Background on Booth Tarkington

Andrew provides a comprehensive overview of Booth Tarkington, emphasizing his notable achievement of being one of only four authors to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice. Despite his success during his lifetime, Tarkington's fame has not endured into modern literary canon.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (04:03): "Booth Tarkington was one of, suppose one of four authors, only four in all of history to have won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction twice."
• Craig (08:08): "He was a member of many prestigious eating clubs, including Purdue University's Morley's Eating Club, Princeton University's Ivy Club, the Colonial Club."

3. Pulitzer Prize Controversies

The hosts delve into Tarkington's Pulitzer Prize wins, highlighting the contentious decisions surrounding his awards. They discuss how the Pulitzer committee's evolving criteria and internal debates led to Tarkington securing his second prize amid controversy, particularly in comparison to contemporaries like Edith Wharton and Sinclair Lewis.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig (20:18): "The main reason why we're here, like the number two reason after his name, sort of mouthfeel of Darkington on the list of reasons why we're talking about this guy."
• Andrew (21:33): "Who shall best present the whole atmosphere of American life and the highest standard of American manners and manhood."

4. Plot Summary of Alice Adams

Andrew offers a detailed synopsis of Alice Adams, focusing on the dual narratives of Alice's social aspirations and her father Virgil Adams' struggles with his failing glue business.

Key Plot Points:

• Family Dynamics: The Adams family grapples with financial instability and social status, primarily influenced by Alice's desires to ascend socially.
• Alice's Deception: Alice lies about her family's standing to fit into upper-middle-class circles, notably engaging with Arthur Russell, a suitor from a higher social tier.
• Virgil's Endeavor: Virgil Adams quits his job to start a glue factory, hoping to secure his family's prosperity but faces numerous setbacks.
• Climactic Dinner Party: A disastrous dinner party exposes the family's facade, leading to the unraveling of Alice's lies and the father's business struggles.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (34:01): "This is the first of several quotes that I'm gonna read just to tell you. Like, Booth Tarkington does write a sentence that I like..."
• Andrew (41:33): "The situation is still very funny... Suddenly, everything has come to a standstill."

5. Character Analysis and Themes

Craig and Andrew analyze the characters, particularly Alice Adams and Virgil Adams, exploring themes of social ambition, honesty, and the illusion of the American Dream. They also touch upon the portrayal of racial stereotypes, acknowledging problematic elements within the novel.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (52:43): "JA Lamb Liquid Glue Co Incorporated... He... Angus... what a sucker you are..."
• Craig (53:25): "The type of skill that did make him a... strong background in character-driven theater."

6. Critical Reception and Modern Perspectives

The hosts discuss why Tarkington's works, including Alice Adams, have faded from modern literary prominence despite their initial popularity. They attribute this decline to Tarkington's nostalgic writing style, lack of substantial modern themes, and reliance on stereotypical portrayals.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (27:53): "My mentor Daniel Aaron used to say, with reference to Longfellow, another half-forgotten writer."
• Craig (65:36): "It is not modernist in any way... like Virginia Woolf out there, like, breaking through at this exact moment, too."

7. Conclusion and Future Directions

Andrew and Craig reflect on the merits and shortcomings of Alice Adams, contemplating whether Tarkington deserves renewed attention. They conclude that while the book is entertaining and character-driven, it lacks the depth and innovation that keep certain works enduring in literary canons.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (67:52): "We don't need to reclaim him necessarily."
• Craig (71:50): "Next week with Joan Didion. That's my plan."

8. Upcoming Episodes and Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with teasers for future content, including a shift to Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays, promising a fresh exploration of different literary landscapes.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew (70:07): "Overdue Podcast.com is the Internet website. We have the books that we have read and the ones we are going to read..."
• Craig (71:42): "Next week with Joan Didion. That's my plan."

Overall Insights:

• Booth Tarkington's Legacy: Despite early acclaim and prestigious awards, Tarkington's works like Alice Adams have not maintained a strong presence in contemporary discussions, possibly due to their nostalgic and character-focused narratives lacking enduring thematic depth.

• Literary Context: Alice Adams serves as a window into early 20th-century American society, highlighting class aspirations and familial struggles, yet it falls short when compared to the more groundbreaking works of contemporaries like The Great Gatsby and The Sound and the Fury.

• Modern Relevance: The podcast raises questions about revisiting and re-evaluating Tarkington's contributions to American literature, weighing the book's entertaining aspects against its outdated social portrayals.

End of Summary

For more details and to engage with the hosts, listeners are encouraged to visit Overdue Podcast and join their community on Patreon at Patreon.com/overduepod.