Recommended by the US Review of Books
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK
The Streamlined Locomotive is a gripping book that follows the story of Theopolis, who is set to modify his way of life to get his family’s support and maintain his position of power. Despite being the scion of a wealthy family of old-fashioned robber barons and industry leaders, Theo wants to be easygoing. Theo expects to inherit the central part of one of the country’s significant railroads and control of Hawgwaller, an entire county in Appalachia, and he is trying to keep his position while doing the least amount of work. However, the patriarch and boss of the family, Uncle Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom, who controls everything, expects him to develop a streamlined steam engine for the two-bit third-rate feeder railroad the county operates.
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Theo knows that if he fails to complete all the chores he is currently expected to finish, he will lose his comfortable position in the family. If he doesn’t perform, he will lose his riches and his preferred place in the family, and just as World War II is about to start, he will be drafted into the war. What awaits Theo’s fate? Will he be able to satisfy his Uncle Throckmorton’s expectations? Can Theo develop a streamlined steam engine? Readers will be delighted to know his whole story in this humorous and satirical book.
"Best book I've read in years" -Boze Herrington
DESCRIPTION
The main character, Theopolis P. Bezelbottom, is the scion of a wealthy family of old-fashioned robber barons and leaders of industry. Theo just wants to live an indolent, irresponsible existence, doing as little as possible to maintain his common-law wife, children, and girlfriends in an easygoing life. He expects to inherit the main part of one of the major railroads of the country as well as control of Hawgwaller, an entire county in Appalachia, and he is trying to keep his position while doing the least amount of work. However, the patriarch and boss of the family, Uncle Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom, who controls everything, now expects Theo to take on active responsibility, and his uncle Aloysius P. Bezelbottom fully expects Theo to come up with a streamlined steam engine for the two-bit third-rate feeder railroad the county operates. Theo knows that he will lose his comfortable position in the family unless he succeeds in all the tasks he is now expected to perform. If he does not perform, he lose his wealth and favored position in the family and be drafted into the army just as World War II is about to break out.