Born in Pottsville in 1905, John O'Hara is the author of numerous novels and short stories written from the 1930's through the 1960's. Many works are quite critically acclaimed and highly regarded in American Literature.
Appointment in Samarra tells a story of class and social restraints in Gibbsville, PA (a town quite obviously based on Pottsville) during the 1920's. Coal region old-timers will tell you that when this book came out it was quite scandalous, particularly because of the thinly disguised references to people and places of the time. Ernest Hemingway said "If you want to read a book by a man who knows exactly what he is writing about and has written it marvellously well, read Appointment in Samarra".

From Penguin Books: "Greeted with controversy when it was first published in 1934, John O' Hara's powerful novel of self-destruction established its author as a leading American writer."

O'Hara also wrote Butterfield Eight, which was made into a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor. Ms. Taylor won an Academy Award for her performance as an aimless young woman in New York City.

From the Terrace is another O'Hara novel that was made into a movie. In it, Paul Newman plays a wealthy Pennsylvania boy who goes to New York and marries into even more money. After his marriage begins to collapse, he returns to his hometown (think Pottsville!) and finds a new romance.

Find a great selection of John O'Hara's books in the Coal Region Bookstore.