Richard P. Powell

Richard P. Powell (1908-1999) was an American novelist and screenwriter known for writing mysteries, thrillers, and crime fiction. His work spanned several decades from the 1940s through the 1960s, with his most successful period occurring during the post-World War II era. Powell achieved recognition for his 1956 novel "The Philadelphian," which was adapted into the Academy Award-nominated film "The Young Philadelphians" starring Paul Newman. The book explored themes of social class and ambition in Philadelphia society, becoming one of his most enduring works. Many of Powell's novels were set in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas, drawing from his personal experience as a native of the region. His other notable works include "Say It With Bullets" (1953) and "Pioneer, Go Home!" (1959), the latter of which was adapted into the Elvis Presley film "Follow That Dream." Before his career as a novelist, Powell worked as a journalist for the Philadelphia Evening Ledger and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His military experience occasionally influenced his writing, particularly in works dealing with post-war themes and characters.

Readers praise Powell's ability to write light, entertaining novels with fast-paced plots and humor. His 1956 novel "The Philadelphian" stands out in reviews, with fans noting its portrayal of social class dynamics and Philadelphia society. Multiple readers mention they discovered Powell through watching "The Young Philadelphians," the film adaptation starring Paul Newman. A common thread in positive reviews is Powell's attention to historical detail and local settings. His books set during WWII ("I Take This Land," "All My Sons") receive recognition for their realism and research. Critics point to formulaic plots and dated cultural references. Some find his dialogue stilted and his female characters one-dimensional. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Philadelphian: 4.0/5 (187 ratings) - Pioneer, Go Home!: 3.8/5 (45 ratings) - I Take This Land: 3.7/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: - The Philadelphian: 4.3/5 (52 reviews) - Pioneer, Go Home!: 4.1/5 (12 reviews)

Pioneer, Go Home! - A family of squatters claims land near a Florida highway through homesteading laws, leading to conflicts with local authorities and businessmen.

Tickets to the Devil - A bridge tournament in Philadelphia becomes the setting for murder and intrigue among competitive card players.

The Philadelphian - Charts the rise of a working-class Irish-American lawyer through Philadelphia's social hierarchy across three generations.

Say It With Bullets - A World War II veteran travels west to confront former army buddies who may have framed him for theft during the war.

Daily and Sunday - A newspaper drama follows conflicts and relationships at a Philadelphia paper during labor disputes and circulation wars.

Shell Game - A mystery set in the Florida Keys involving stolen pearls, competing treasure hunters, and a series of deceptions.

I Take This Woman - Chronicles the marriage between a wealthy Philadelphia socialite and a middle-class man against the backdrop of class differences.

Arab Interlude - An American oil company executive becomes entangled in political intrigue while working in the Middle East.

John O'Hara wrote about social class and ambition in Pennsylvania society during the mid-20th century, sharing Powell's regional focus and themes. His novels examine the tensions between old money and new money in ways that parallel "The Philadelphian."

John P. Marquand specialized in novels about upper-class New England society and the conflicts between tradition and progress in the post-war period. He wrote about characters navigating social hierarchies and professional ambition in the 1940s-1960s timeframe.

Sloan Wilson focused on post-WWII American society and professional life, particularly exploring themes of social mobility and career advancement. His work "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" deals with similar themes to Powell's examination of ambition and social climbing.

Cameron Hawley wrote novels about American business and society in the post-war period, focusing on corporate life and social advancement. His work "Executive Suite" shares Powell's interest in professional ambition and social hierarchy.

Edwin O'Connor wrote about political and social life in mid-century urban settings, particularly focusing on Irish-American communities in the Northeast. His work "The Last Hurrah" explores similar themes of social class and power structures that appear in Powell's Philadelphia-set novels.