American Beauty (Ferber novel)

American Beauty is a 1931 novel by American author Edna Ferber first published by Doubleday. Set in the Housatonic region of Connecticut, the story, spanning the years 1700 to 1930, relates the steady decline of the Oakes family and their property, as well as their tense relations with Polish immigrants.

The title comes from a line within the book. According to the story, Christopher Wren, who helped design the Oakes family mansion, said Connecticut has "a kind of American beauty," resembling Kent but possessing larger and higher landscapes.

Plot

True Baldwin, a millionaire, unnerved by the stock market crash of 1929 is advised to return to the Connecticut farm of his youth in order to buy land to till for his health. After discovering that the home of his childhood is currently owned by Polish immigrants, he and his daughter Candace, an architect, find what she calls "the most beautiful house in America." True says it is the home of the Oakes family, built by Captain Orrange Oakes in the early 1700s.

The house and the land were passed along from generation to generation. Judith Oakes soon inherits the property. Through time, the mansion, the property and the family have degenerated. Following the death of her mother, Judith's niece Temmie arrives at the Oakes home. Temmie's wily personality and vigor resemble that of her namesake, Tamar Oakes, the daughter of Captain Oakes. Finding the house in a state of disarray, Temmie assumes the responsibility of cleaning it; Judith seems incapable of helping her with household chores. Temmie eventually marries Ondi Olszak, a Polish immigrant who works the Oakes' tobacco farm.

By the time True and Candace arrive, Orrange Oakes, Temmie's son, operates what is left of the farm.

Characters

• Judith Oakes is a bitter, unmarried woman, who stubbornly upholds the value of the Oakes family name. She sees the wiliness of her niece, Tamar "Temmie" Oakes, as a threat to her family's prestige. Faced with declining finances, she refuses to sell any portion of her property to immigrants, even though neighbouring farms are met with some success.

• Tamar "Temmie" Oakes is the niece of Judith Oakes. She grew up with her mother and a traveling circus. After her mother's death, she moves in with Judith and eventually falls in love with Ondi Olszak.

• Jotham Oakes, a dwarf and a simpleton, is Judith Oakes' brother. He is emotionally attached to his sister and, although usually jovial, is prone to periods of melancholy.

• Ondi Olszak is a Polish immigrant who works on the Oakes farm. He hopes one day to purchase a portion of the Oakes farm.

• Rozia Olszak is Ondi's wife. Their marriage is not a happy one.

• Stas Olszak is Rozia Olszak's illegitimate son. Once he matures, he and Ondi frequently are at odds on the farm.

• Big Bertha is a descendant of the Champions, a family historically friendly with the Oakes. Judith Oakes tolerates her simply for their families' bond. She is an obese drunkard, who befriends Temmie.

• Orrange Oakes is the son of Temmie Oakes and Ondi Olszak. Although his name is legally "Orrange Olszak," Temmie does not accept this and refers to him as an Oakes. When he inherits the farm, he hopes to modernize it.

• True Baldwin is a millionaire, who knew the Oakes growing up. He was infatuated with Judith Oakes, but left Connecticut without telling her. He hopes to buy the Oakes farm from its current owner, Orrange Oakes.

• Candace Baldwin, an architect, is the daughter of True Baldwin.

• Captain Orrange Oakes, having bought Connecticut land from local natives, organizes the construction of the Oakes family mansion.

• Tamar Oakes is the young daughter of Captain Orrange Oakes. She possesses a spritely spirit and is fascinated by the natives who frequently visit the Oakes mansion.