Appointment in Samarra (1934) by John O'Hara follows the self-destructive downfall of Julian English, a wealthy car salesman in Gibbsville, Pennsylvania. The story, set in the days leading to his death, explores Julian's alienation from society after a drunken outburst at a high-society party. His actions, including a public altercation with Harry Reilly and an affair with a club dancer, spiral him into disgrace, leaving him estranged from his wife, Caroline, and friends. The novel, titled after an ancient Mesopotamian tale retold by W. Somerset Maugham, examines themes of fate, social status, and personal ruin. Julian's inability to reconcile with his actions leads to his tragic suicide, leaving a lasting impact on those around him, including his wife and employees. The book’s allusions to sex were controversial at the time, marking O'Hara as a writer of boundary-pushing content.
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