A classic novel about Fort Worth’s elite is being re-released. The book, ‘The Inheritors,’ was first published in 1940 and is a scathing critique of the city’s hedonistic elite. The novel was written by Philip Atlee, whose real name is James Young Phillips, and is set in 1935 among the idle, entitled sons and daughters of the country club set.

Background

The novel was initially met with outrage in Fort Worth, with some critics calling it the work of ‘a somewhat immature and confused young man.’ However, the book received rave reviews nationally, with one publication comparing it to the work of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

The novel follows the main character, based on Phillips himself, as he navigates the country club scene and grapples with the moral hypocrisy of the elite. The book is known for its harsh descriptions of the wealthy and its unflinching portrayal of the excesses of the time.

Reissue

The TCU Press edition of ‘The Inheritors’ will be the first time the book has been formally published and widely available to readers since its original release. The book will be available for preorder and will retail for $26.95.

TCU Press director Dan Williams is proud to be republishing the book, saying it is a ‘natural fit’ for the press and the city of Fort Worth. Williams notes that the book has been hard to come by in recent years, with copies selling for as much as $5,000 in collector’s markets.

The reissue of ‘The Inheritors’ is a significant event for fans of classic literature and those interested in the history of Fort Worth. The book provides a unique glimpse into the city’s past and offers a scathing critique of the elite that is still relevant today.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.