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The big town cover

The big town

By Ring Lardner
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About This Book

A comic first-person account follows a middlewestern couple and the wife's sister who move to New York after inheriting a modest fortune. The narrator recounts a series of linked episodes—parties, social schemes, romantic pursuits on behalf of the sister-in-law, and encounters with memorable city characters—delivering sharp, ironic observations about provincial assumptions, social climbing, and sudden comfort. Anecdotal and conversational in tone, the book balances warm domestic detail with satirical portraits of urban life, emphasizing character-driven humor and the small humiliations and triumphs of adapting to the big city.

About the Author

Lardner, Ring portrait

Ring Lardner

Ring Lardner was an American writer and sports columnist known for his sharp wit and keen observations of American life in the early 20th century. His work often blended humor with social commentary, making him a significant figure in the development of modern American literature. Lardner's notable works include "Bib Ballads" and "Gullible's Travels, Etc.," which showcase his unique style and ability to capture the nuances of human behavior. He also contributed to the literary landscape with his letters and essays, reflecting on the cultural and social issues of his time. Lardner's legacy continues to influence writers and humorists today.

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