布斯·塔金頓（Newton Booth Tarkington，1869-1946年），美國小說傢及劇作傢。他的第一部小說《印第安納來的紳士》（The Gentleman fromIndiana）（1899年），描寫一位鄉村編輯反抗政治腐敗的故事。他在三部麯《混亂》（1915年）、《偉大的安伯遜傢族》（1918年；1919年獲得普利策奬）以及《中部人》（1923年）中反映瞭社會變遷對一個中西部傢庭三代人的影響。《寂寞芳心》（1921年；1922年獲得普利策奬）是一部現實主義小說，講述的是一位來自中下層傢庭的浪漫女孩幻想破滅的故事。

This is the story of a middle-class family living in the industrialized "midland country" at the turn of the 20th century. It is against this dingy backdrop that Alice Adams seeks to distinguish herself. She goes to a dance in a used dress, which her mother attempts to renew by changing the lining and adding some lace. She adorns herself not with orchids sent by the florist but with a bouquet of violets she has picked herself. Because her family cannot afford to equip her with the social props or "background" so needed to shine in society, Alice is forced to make do. Ultimately, her ambitions for making a successful marriage must be tempered by the realities of her situation. Alice Adams' resiliency of spirit makes her one of Tarkington's most compelling female characters.