SEVENTEEN

The novel follows the adventures and misadventures of the protagonist William Sylvanus Baxter a young man on the cusp of adulthood. William often referred to as Willie is seventeen years old and finds himself navigating the challenges and awkwardness of adolescence. He is infatuated with a young woman named Lola Pratt who becomes the object of his affections and the source of much of the novel''s humor and drama. As William attempts to win Lola''s heart he faces numerous humorous and embarrassing situations including misunderstandings rivalries with other young men and a series of comedic mishaps. The novel captures the essence of youth innocence and the timeless experience of coming of age. Seventeen is known for its humor charm and nostalgic portrayal of small-town life in America during the early 20th century. Booth Tarkington was a skilled writer who excelled at depicting the quirks and foibles of ordinary people. The novel''s title Seventeen symbolizes the awkwardness and idealism of youth and Tarkington''s portrayal of Willie Baxter''s adventures has resonated with readers for generations. Booth Tarkington was a prolific author and won two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction during his career one for The Magnificent Ambersons (1918) and the other for Alice Adams (1921). Seventeen remains one of his well-loved and enduring works.