Topper (ePub)

Thorne Smith's 'Topper' is a classic novel that combines whimsy with profundity, ensconcing readers in a revival of Roaring Twenties exuberance through its paranormal escapades. The story follows the conservative Cosmo Topper who, after purchasing a haunted car, becomes embroiled in the raucous afterlife antics of its former owners, the vivacious ghosts George and Marion Kerby. Smith's narrative is noted for its subversive humor and satirical edge, adeptly lampooning the prevailing norms of his era with a literary style that juxtaposes the fantastical elements with sharp, comedic dialogue. 'Topper' is not only an artifact of its time but also a work that adeptly challenges and entertains, reflecting the author's mastery in blending societal critique with burlesque storytelling.

Thorne Smith, a writer celebrated for his skill in traversing the boundaries of traditional humor and supernatural fantasy in early twentieth-century American literature, penned 'Topper' during a time when the United States reveled in post-war excess. The undercurrents of rebellion and liberation that characterized the Jazz Age shine through in Smith's writing, intermingled with his own experience of the era's ethos. His capacity to personify the decade's cultural revolution through metaphysical shenanigans reveals the discontents and absurdities of American life, perhaps mirroring his own sentiments towards the transformative yet tumultuous spirit of the times.

'Topper' is recommended for readers who delight in the fusion of farce and the fantastic, as well as those interested in a satirical glimpse into a past epoch. The book speaks not only to those with an affinity for the supernatural but also to lovers of literary craftsmanship that evokes laughter while critiquing the human condition. Smith beckons the discerning reader to explore the depth of his comic genius, to look beyond the veil of spectral frolics and perceive a nuanced commentary on the eccentricities and excesses of human behavior. 'Topper' remains a relevant and invigorating work, endearing itself to contemporary audiences as much as it did to its original readers.