The Gilded Age by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner offers a scathing satire of post-Civil War America, highlighting rampant greed and political corruption. Critics laud its rich humor and sharp social commentary, though some find its numerous subplots convoluted. Overall, it remains a compelling and insightful portrayal of the era.

An ideal reader for Twain and Warner's The Gilded Age is someone fascinated by satire, American history, and social critique. Fans of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Catch-22 by Joseph Heller will appreciate the novel's incisive commentary on political corruption and economic disparity in post-Civil War America.

The Gilded Age follows the intertwined lives of the Hawkins family and several other characters in post-Civil War America, focusing on their pursuit of wealth and the resulting moral and financial consequences. Silas Hawkins moves his family to Missouri, seeking fortune through land speculation and befriending the charismatic Beriah Sellers, while secondary characters, including Philip Sterling and Ruth Bolton, navigate personal and economic ambitions amidst pervasive societal corruption.

Nostalgic / Humorous / Informative / Mysterious / Bittersweet

- The title of The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today popularized the term "Gilded Age" for the 19th-century era of materialistic excess and political corruption in the United States, emphasizing the glittering exterior versus the often corrupt and impoverished reality.
- The Gilded Age was the only novel Mark Twain co-authored with another writer, Charles Dudley Warner, and the collaboration originally started as a joke between the two families about writing a bad novel.
- The book is notable for its critical examination of post-Civil War American society, cleverly satirizing both contemporary politics and speculative business ventures in a way that resonated deeply with its late 19th-century readers.

**Silas “Si” Hawkins**  
Patriarch of the Hawkins family and respected figure in Obedstown, Tennessee, known for his dedication to family and tendency towards high-risk ventures proposed by Beriah Sellers.

**Colonel Beriah Sellers**  
An influential family friend of the Hawkins, known for his persuasive optimism and involvement in high-risk ventures, often self-serving and consistently dreaming of wealth.

**Philip Sterling**  
A major character who begins as an entitled Yale graduate and undergoes personal transformation through hard work, developing into a dedicated professional with ambitions for financial success.

**Washington Hawkins**  
The eldest son of Silas Hawkins, who becomes a dreamer himself, influenced by his father's promises and the schemes of Beriah Sellers, and experiences personal growth throughout the story.

**Laura Hawkins**  
The adopted daughter of Silas and Nancy Hawkins, who is characterized by her complex family history, societal standing, and dynamic character growth influenced by personal trials.

**Henry “Harry” Brierly**  
A character focused on social reputation and appearances, making him shallow and self-confident, but unable to undergo significant personal change.

**Ruth Bolton**  
A main character and romantic interest for Philip, who challenges gender norms through her ambition to study medicine and achieve independence, supporting the novel's pro-feminist themes.

**Senator Abner Dilworthy**  
A secondary character involved in political schemes, whose ambiguity and influence shape the destinies of Laura and Washington.

**Alice Montague**  
A supportive secondary character, symbolizing selflessness and unrequited love, inspiring both Philip and Ruth while aligning with the story's pro-feminist message.

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Charles Dudley Warner

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The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today

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