About this Item
SIGNED First Edition limited to 5000 copies. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. Robert Ward Johnson drawings. This copy SIGNED by Suckow in 1934 at front endpaper. Insert from Kroch's Bookstores, Inc.
The Folks is a novel by Ruth Suckow, first published in 1934, that provides a poignant and detailed portrait of the middle-class Ferguson family in the fictional small town of Belmond, Iowa, exploring their lives and struggles amidst the sweeping changes of the early twentieth century. It is widely considered her finest work.
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Summary
The novel centers on Fred and Annie Ferguson and their four adult children: Carl, Margaret, Dorothy, and Bun.
The Parents: Fred, a respected small-town banker, and Annie represent the older generation, rooted in traditional Midwestern values. As they age and their children leave, they grapple with feelings of displacement and nostalgia. After Fred's retirement, they take a long-dreamed-about trip to California, only to find themselves wishing they were back home in Iowa, ultimately realizing they can face the future's uncertainties together.
The Children: The adult children each pursue different paths, often moving away from their small-town roots and challenging their parents' expectations and the "American Dream" of ever-increasing prosperity.
Carl, a promising student and athlete, faces disillusionment in his marriage.
Margaret seeks a more fulfilling life in New York, transforming herself, but ultimately facing heartbreak.
Dorothy and her family in San Diego struggle financially, contrary to appearances.
Bun marries Charlotte, a Marxist, whose views clash sharply with the Fergusons' bourgeois lifestyle.
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Key Themes
Generational Shifts: The novel explores the significant differences between the traditional values of the elder Fergusons and the modern aspirations and disillusionments of their children.
Small-Town Life vs. Urban Aspiration: Suckow contrasts the life in rural Iowa with the experiences of the children who move to cities like New York and Chicago, highlighting the societal pressures and the search for personal identity in different environments.
The American Dream: The novel is a subtle criticism of the simplistic American success model, as the children's lives are complex and do not always follow a path of material prosperity.
Familial Bonds and Dislocation: Despite physical separation and differing worldviews, the story emphasizes the enduring, albeit complex, bonds of family and the challenge of making peace with the inherent mysteries and disappointments in life.
Realism: Suckow's work is praised for its thorough realism and penetrating characterization, providing a vivid and honest portrait of a middle-class American family during a time of great change.
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Bookseller Inventory # BD1-012-00223.
Seller Inventory # BD1-012-00223
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