Kathleen F.Adult Services LibrarianAppointment in SamarraJohn O'Hara (2013)In John O'Hara's first novel we are viewing three days at Christmas in Gibbsville, Pennsylvania. Set in 1930, Appointment in Samarra depicts the social strata of small town America from professionals to coal miners, club members to road house barflies and gangsters. Our main man is Julian English, a successful owner of a Cadillac dealership, married to Caroline.