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Arrowsmith / Elmer Gantry / Dodsworth

sinclair lewis

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Written at the height of his powers in the 1920s, the three novels in this volume continue the vigorous unmasking of American middle-class life begun by Sinclair Lewis in Main Street and Babbitt.

In Arrowsmith (1925) Lewis portrays the medical career of Martin Arrowsmith, a physician who finds his commitment to the ideals of his profession tested by the cynicism and opportunism he encounters in private practice, public health work, and scientific research. The novel reaches its climax as its hero faces his greatest challenges amid a deadly outbreak of plague on a Caribbean island.

Elmer Gantry (1927) aroused intense controversy with its brutal depiction of a hypocritical preacher in relentless pursuit of worldly pleasure and power. Through his satiric expos? of American religion, Lewis captured the growing cultural and political tension in the 1920s between the forces of secularism and fundamentalism.

Dodsworth (1929) follows Sam Dodsworth, a wealthy, retired Midwestern automobile manufacturer, as he travels through Europe with his increasingly restless wife, Fran. The novel intimately explores the unraveling of their marriage, while pitting the proud heritage of European culture against the rude vigor of American commercialism.

1346 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26,2002

This edition

Format
1346 pages, Hardcover
Published
August 26, 2002 by Library of America
ISBN
9781931082082
ASIN
1931082081
Language
English

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About the author

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sinclair lewis

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Novelist Harry Sinclair Lewis satirized middle-class America in his 22 works, including Babbitt (1922) and Elmer Gantry (1927) and first received a Nobel Prize for literature in 1930.

Middle-class values and materialism attach unthinking George F. Babbitt, the narrow-minded, self-satisfied main character person in the novel of Sinclair Lewis.

People awarded "his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of characters."

He knowingly, insightfully, and critically viewed capitalism and materialism between the wars. People respect his strong characterizations of modern women.

Henry Louis Mencken wrote, "[If] there was ever a novelist among us with an authentic call to the trade...it is this red-haired tornado from the Minnesota wilds."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclai...

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Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 12 votes)
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12 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
YusufHanma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Can't help but feel that Dodsworth was written to satisfy a bet Sinclair Lewis made with himself:

"Can I, in ~85 years, provoke Cassandra de Kanter of Steilacoom, Washington, to root for the dissolution of a marriage and for the abiding happiness of a wealthy industrialist?"

And, damn it, he could.

The story of Dodsworth seems to be a bold experiment by Lewis. It delves into the complex dynamics of a marriage and the desires and dreams of its characters.

By presenting a wealthy industrialist and his relationship, Lewis challenges the reader's expectations and makes them question what true happiness really means.

The idea of provoking someone to root for the end of a marriage and the happiness of one of its partners is a fascinating and thought-provoking concept.

It shows the power of literature to make us think and feel in ways we might not have otherwise.

Overall, Dodsworth is a remarkable work that continues to engage readers and spark discussions about love, marriage, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Tsukoyomi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Wow!

According to a WASHINGTON POST blogger (Kathleen Parker, October 16, 2011 12:00 AM), this book, along with ALL THE KING'S MEN, was considered "required reading" for the right to vote in America.

She was criticizing the Texas preacher who opposed Romney's right to run for president just because he was Mormon.

Elmer Gantry reveals the extremes of religious corruption, which is caused by the progressive addictions to power and money, that is, priestcraft.

In a way, the end of the book was a surprise, but unfortunately, it was true to life.

Yes, every (Christian) American should read this book. It can make people think deeply about the true meaning of religion and the importance of maintaining moral and ethical standards.

Moreover, it can also help people understand the complex relationship between religion and politics, and how power and money can corrupt even the most pious people.

By reading this book, people can gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them, and become more responsible and conscious citizens.

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Zackzkai_BR
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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On May 3rd, 2003, I found myself in the library.

The library was a haven of knowledge and tranquility. The shelves were filled with countless books, each one waiting to be discovered and explored.

I walked through the aisles, my eyes scanning the titles. Some were familiar, while others were completely new to me.

I selected a few books that caught my interest and found a quiet corner to sit and read.

The soft glow of the lamps and the smell of old books created a cozy atmosphere.

As I delved into the pages, I was transported to different worlds and times.

The library was a place where I could escape from the outside world and lose myself in the beauty of words.

It was a place where I could expand my mind and learn new things.

I spent several hours in the library that day, completely engrossed in my reading.

When it was time to leave, I felt a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

The library had once again proven to be a source of inspiration and joy for me.

I looked forward to my next visit and the new adventures that awaited me within its walls.

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JediChick10101
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Truly a horrifying book about Christian ministry!

It meticulously chronicles several ages of my pastoral hypocrisy.

This book should be mandatory reading for all Bible college and seminary students.

Thanks to Dustin Bagby for the recommendation.

It provides a brutally honest look into the flaws and failings within the realm of Christian leadership.

By sharing these personal experiences, it serves as a wake-up call and a reminder of the importance of integrity and authenticity in ministry.

Students can learn valuable lessons from the mistakes and shortcomings described in the book, helping them to avoid similar pitfalls in their own future ministries.

It challenges the traditional notions of what it means to be a pastor and forces us to examine our own motives and actions.

This book has the potential to spark much-needed conversations and reforms within the Christian community, ultimately leading to a more genuine and effective form of ministry.
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landre
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tour-de-force of American popular religion.

It is as true today as when it was written.

Only the names have changed and the elements of religion are mixed into new combinations of the same old stuff.

The author's probing of his character's psyches is highly relevant today.

I first saw the movie in 1960, and it has remained with me ever since.

Now that I have read the book, I have a deeper understanding of my own spiritual missteps.

This work not only offers a fascinating exploration of the religious landscape in America but also provides valuable insights into the human psyche.

It makes us reflect on our own beliefs and the choices we make in our spiritual journeys.

The combination of engaging storytelling and profound psychological analysis makes this a truly remarkable piece of literature.

Whether you are interested in religion, psychology, or simply a good read, this book is sure to captivate and inspire you.
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RoyalYaoiBlog
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I obtained this particular book from the library as my intention was to read Dodsworth, a work that I had never come across in print previously. I was harboring the hope that it would prove to be as excellent as Arrowsmith and Elmer Gantry had been.


I have now had the book in my possession for nearly two months, and I have a strong suspicion that it won't be completed by the time it has to be returned to the library. I am encountering difficulties in getting fully engaged with it. The main characters do not seem to possess the same level of interest as those in his other books. Consequently, it is more challenging to be intrigued by what is going to occur next.


I do not have an aversion to the book, but I would assert that if one desires to read a Sinclair Lewis book, there are others that are more interesting to peruse.
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Dbtrioc
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Sinclair Lewis, "the rebel from the Main Street," has penned a trio of some of the finest novels.

In these works, he takes a country doctor, who is not dissimilar to his own father, a typical fundamentalist preacher striving for wealth and fame, and a prominent automotive industrialist as his main characters.

Lewis masterfully creates a vivid picture of his time. The era was marked by mercantilism, with a focus on making profits and gaining advantages. Boosterism was also prevalent, as people promoted and advocated for various ideas and enterprises.

However, there were also counter trends. There was a pursuit of truth in science, a search for authenticity in relationships, a longing to find cultural roots in Europe, and an awakening to the deeper truth of the self.

Lewis's novels offer a fascinating exploration of this complex and dynamic era,展现了人性的多面性 and the various forces at play in society.
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Themakas
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A good deal can be found in a Library of America volume. It contains the "other" novels of Sinclair Lewis from the celebrated 1920s, apart from MAIN STREET and BABBITT. ARROWSMITH focuses on a doctor-in-training. Lewis wrote it partly to respond to critics who claimed he had no "spiritual gifts" and partly because his own father was a physician, so he was familiar with the ins and outs and the ethical conflicts involved.

ELMER GANTRY is the most unrestrained, flamboyant, and cynical. It tells the story of a charlatanic salesman who transforms himself into an Evangelical tent minister and almost convinces himself. (It also inspired a great 1960 movie.)

DODSWORTH has the reputation of being the odd one out, but that might be unjust. It's a perceptive novel about a Midwestern car manufacturer who sells his plant, gets rich, and attempts to salvage his failing marriage by taking a European "grand tour" with his discontented wife. (It, too, had a great movie adaptation back in 1936.)

This volume is an ideal purchase for the reader who has explored MAIN STREET and/or BABBITT and desires more of Lewis's works.
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