Booth Tarkington

Beasley's Christmas Party Booth Tarkington

This short novel is about David Beasley, a quiet man, a well-liked and respected politician, who is obliged to care for a young, wheelchair-bound son of his cousin and wife when the boy's parents drown in a boating accident. The boy, Hamilton Swift, and Beasley invent large numbers of imaginary people who come to visit at all times of the day and night, and Beasley devotes himself to entertaining the little boy to the exclusion of everything else. Beasley is the odds-on favorite for governor, but when word of his antics with imaginary guests reach his opponents, they are determined to unmask him as a lunatic. Along with two newspaper reporters, they watch Beasley act out a speech and a complicated dance involving all of the imaginary guests. To a person, they become embarrassed and ashamed when they realize the entire performance was for the benefit of little Hamilton Swift. This is a heartwarming book that will leave you with a lump in your throat, tears in your eyes, and a smile on your face. It's appropriate for all ages.