The Amateur Inn

by Albert Payson Terhune

"The Amateur Inn" by Albert Payson Terhune is a novel written in the early 20th century. It centers around the character Thaxton Vail, who inherits a vast estate from his great-uncle along with the peculiar stipulation that he maintain certain rooms for guests, turning his residence into a makeshift inn. The narrative unfolds in the picturesque setting of Aura Valley in the Berkshires, capturing the tensions between new wealth and traditional values. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Thaxton Vail and the legacy left by his great-uncle Osmun Vail, which includes the bizarre requirement to accommodate travelers. Having just returned from the war, Thaxton is quickly thrown into the chaos of running Vailholme as improvised lodging, struggling to balance his own desires with the expectations placed upon him. Various characters enter his life, including a distasteful couple hoping to exploit the inn's offerings and old friends with whom he navigates the relationships and rivalries inherent in their social strata. The opening sets a tone of humor tinged with tension, indicative of the conflicts that are likely to unfold as Thaxton faces both his duties and his uninvited guests.