Edna Ferber

First published in 1931, ''American Beauty'' is a sprawling family saga that spans over two centuries, tracking the rise, fall, and cultural transformation of a grand American estate from 1700 to 1930. The narrative traces the trajectory of the Oakes family and their majestic New England property. Originally working to tame the harsh Connecticut wilderness in the early 18th century, the family establishes a large, prosperous tobacco farm.
However, over generations, the family's fortune steadily declines. As the Oakes estate deteriorates, hard-working Polish immigrants arrive to work the land. Unlike the fading aristocrats, these laborers possess a deep, rustic connection to the soil. The narrative centers on Judy Oakes and her stubborn niece, Tamar Pring, who are desperate to save their ancestral home. Tamar breaks social barriers by seducing and marrying their dependable Polish hired hand, Ondy Olszak. Their son, Orrange Olszak, inherits a blend of Polish peasant vigor and aristocratic New England sensibilities.
However, due to family pressures, will the farm eventually have to be sold to True Baldwin, a self-made millionaire?