Appointment in Samarra. Illustrated

Appointment in Samarra is the brilliant and haunting debut novel by John O’Hara, first published in 1934. Set in the fictional town of Gibbsville, Pennsylvania, the story unfolds over just three days during the Christmas season, chronicling the rapid self-destruction of Julian English—a wealthy, well-connected young man who throws his life into chaos with a single impulsive act.

With unflinching realism and psychological depth, O’Hara dissects the social codes, class tensions, and personal insecurities of small-town American life in the early 20th century. Through Julian’s downward spiral, the novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the quiet desperation lurking beneath polished surfaces.

Renowned for its crisp dialogue, subtle irony, and emotional intensity, Appointment in Samarra remains a powerful portrait of human fragility and societal pressure. It established O’Hara as a major literary voice and is now considered a classic of American fiction.

A compelling, tragic, and unforgettable novel—timeless in its insight into the human condition.