The Booming of Acre Hill, and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life

"The Booming of Acre Hill, and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life" by John Kendrick Bangs is a collection of funny stories from the turn of the century that focuses on the odd suburban town of Dumfries Corners and the people who live there. The stories make light of the silliness of suburban life, the battle between the natural world and new development, and the strange things people do to try to climb the social ladder. The book begins by talking about Acre Hill, a quiet area that becomes a busy community when the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company arrives. One story tells of a shy man in charge of promoting Acre Hill who hires "Jocular Jimson Jones," a flashy socialite, to draw people in, achieving initial success. However, Jimson disappears, leaving the residents to wonder about the fleeting nature of fame and fortune, which sums up the comical, yet thought-provoking feel of suburban living that runs through the entire collection.