If Jane Austen did social satire "like a fine brush on ivory," then you'd have to say Sinclair Lewis laid it on with a trowel. The ironic disapproval here is so relentless that over the course of this very long novel, it gets a bit wearisome.

Every time Gantry is at his most duplicitous and hypocritical, Lewis insists on calling him "the reverend Mr. Gantry" just to make sure we don't miss the point. Here is a typical thumb-nail sketch of a minor character, the reverend Sidney Webster: "He was tight-mouthed as a New England president, efficient as an adding machine, and cold as the heart of a bureaucrat. If he loved God and humanity-in-general with rigid devotion, he loved no human individual; if he hated sin, he was too contemptuous of any actual sinner to hate him--he merely turned his frigid face away and told him to go to hell. He had no vices. He was also competent. He could preach, get rid of beggars, be quietly devout in death-bed prayers, keep down church expenses, and explain about the Trinity."

Actually the ironic contempt here is pretty restrained compared to much of the rest of the book. Nevertheless, Lewis creates such a wide array of small-town mid-western characters that it feels quite encyclopedic. But the only one who (as far as I could tell) completely escaped Lewis's irony was the elderly reverend Andrew Pengilly. He is so saintly, mild-mannered, fearless, and kind that he reminded me of Chaucer's "poor Parson of a town."

He has what for me was the most devastating moment in the novel, when, after Elmer has been bragging for two pages about all the money he has raised and poured into his large church, how the best people in town are flocking to hear him (hypocritically) rail against drink, tobacco, and sexual misconduct, how astonishingly successful he has been, and how much more he's going to do, Pengilly asks a chapter-ending simple question: "Mr. Gantry, why don't you believe in God?" This question cuts right to the heart of the matter and exposes the hollowness of Gantry's supposed religious zeal. It is a powerful moment that makes the reader stop and think about the true nature of faith and hypocrisy.

Elmer Gantry is an entertaining and engaging satirical novel that tells the story of a young and ambitious man who attempts to achieve success through preaching. In his youth, he was a boisterous individual with a penchant for excessive drinking and womanizing. However, upon reaching adulthood, he undergoes a partial transformation. He gives up alcohol and aspires to become the moral leader of the world. But he is a complete hypocrite as he commits adultery despite being married with two children. Elmer Gantry is a hard worker and an excellent speaker, yet he lacks sincerity.

The author's writing style and the strong momentum of the plot easily make up for reading about such an unlikable protagonist. The story is filled with vivid characters and thought-provoking situations that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

Here are some quotes from the novel that provide a glimpse into the character of Elmer Gantry and the themes of the book. 'His kiss promised it. His heart almost promised it.' This quote shows the false promises and deceptions that Elmer Gantry is capable of. 'He was certain that he would never again want to guzzle, to follow loose women, to blaspheme; he knows the rapture of salvation - yes, and of being the center of interest in the crowd.' This quote reveals Elmer Gantry's self-righteousness and his desire for attention and admiration. 'What a lying, compromising job this being a minister.' This quote sums up the hypocrisy and corruption that exists within the religious institution as depicted in the novel.

Overall, Elmer Gantry is an enjoyable and satisfying reading experience that offers a satirical look at the world of religion and the pursuit of success. It was first published in 1926 and has since become a classic of American literature.

This was truly amazing.

I will most definitely need to explore other books written by Sinclair Lewis.

Wow. This man had an incredible talent for writing!

I don't know a great deal about Lewis, but it is evident that he must have had some extensive exposure to the Christianity of his era.

I found this particular work to be extremely educational regarding the religious landscape of America during the turn of the century.

Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Pentecostals, Catholics, Mormons, and New Thoughters are all represented here, with all their flaws and idiosyncrasies on full display.

It is a fascinating comparative study, to say the least; but, more significantly, it is a scathing rebuke of religious hypocrisy.

Lewis unleashed his artillery upon insincere Christianity.

This story will cause one to come to a complete standstill before attempting to enter the ministry for status or prestige.

Is the ministry simply an opportunity for upward mobility?

Does it boost the ego?

Does it place us in a favorable light?

Is it a chance to gain influence?

Do we enjoy being flattered?

Vie for authority?

Do we long for greatness?

If the answer is yes to any one of these questions, then Lewis is aiming his sights directly at you.

The Dr. Rev. Elmer Gantry began as an unsuspecting, jovial, young seminarian who had no idea what he was getting himself into.

But, he was led to believe that if he entered the ministry, he could truly make a difference in the world.

Think again, Elmer.

There is far more to it than that.

Yet he blithely continued as an out-and-out fraud, seeking worldly acclaim.

And as he climbed the corporate ladder, each step became increasingly precarious.

I was completely enthralled throughout the entire reading.

It is a humorous, yet convicting read.

Highly recommended for seminarians and young aspiring leaders.

DNF. I'm already five days into it, and yet I still haven't managed to get through the audiobook in less than 3 hours. Nope. It simply isn't working for me at all.

Maybe it's the narrator's voice that's not quite capturing my attention. Or perhaps the story itself just isn't engaging enough to hold my interest for that long. Whatever the reason, I find myself constantly losing focus and having to rewind to catch what I missed.

I keep hoping that it will get better as I progress, but so far, that hasn't been the case. I'm starting to think that this audiobook just isn't for me. Maybe I should give up and move on to something else.

But then again, I hate to give up on something before I've really given it a fair chance. So, I'll probably continue to struggle through it for a little while longer, hoping that it will suddenly click and become the amazing listening experience that I was hoping for.

Don't even bother going to see the movie. Instead, pick up this book!

It is a scathing indictment of evangelical religion, and rightfully so. The author has done an excellent job of exposing the flaws and hypocrisies within this particular religious movement.

From start to finish, the book is a captivating read. It presents a thought-provoking perspective that will make you question many of the things you thought you knew about religion.

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book. It's not often that a book can both entertain and educate at the same time, but this one manages to do just that.

If you're looking for a good read that will challenge your beliefs and make you think, then this book is definitely worth checking out.

4.5 stars. Sinclair Lewis's work, written in the 1920s, is truly a remarkable piece that presages the rise of the modern megachurch and televangelism. It is a masterwork that delves deep into the theme of religious hypocrisy.

Gantry, the central character, is a narcissist and womanizer. He has no qualms about exploiting every relationship he forms in his single-minded pursuit of a self-absorbed vision of grandeur as a faith leader. His character traits, which include pretentiousness and false piety, make him one of the most unlikeable characters in twentieth-century fiction.

Despite his despicable nature, Gantry serves as the perfect foil to reflect the sanctimony of Christian fundamentalism. He represents the pastor who is more interested in serving his own lust for admiration, power, and wealth than the needs of the faithful. Lewis also exposes the double-dealing elites who fund churches as a front to deflect their capitalistic greed and abuse of the working poor.

The writing in this work is wonderful, with the primary characters, especially Gantry, being fully realized. However, those on the periphery are rather thinly drawn. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended reading.

P.S. If you're planning to write that book report or pass that quiz by watching the 1960 film, you're doomed to fail.

Every time I step into the Church, the character of Elmer Gantry always comes to my mind, compelling me to deeply investigate the legitimacy and beliefs of my spiritual leaders.

It is truly disheartening when the one you trust to lead you through life turns out to be a hypocrite, preying on your ignorance. As depicted in the book, sometimes we attend church merely to conform and gain the approval of a particular group. The wealthy and educated often don't believe and frequently find themselves questioning the Bible and the significance of God in their lives.

Elmer Gantry is presented as a spiritual leader, or at least he feigns to be. As a believer, I am aware that it is inappropriate or rather not permitted for me to criticize a man of God. We are advised to stay away from their personal lives at all costs because, after all, they are human beings like us. However, the question that then arises is what should we do when we discover that our pastor or leader is not leading a pious life? Moreover, are they all living such lives? Are they in the church solely to fulfill their own selfish desires? And what should we do with the messages they preach to us?

These are profound questions that require careful consideration and soul-searching.

The statement "The hell of our fathers is good enough for me" presents a rather bold stance. This work offers a very comprehensive critique of impassioned American religion while also serving as a solid character study. It's not as extremely bitter and withering as Twain's later works on the topic of religious matters, yet it is frequently just as learned and, most importantly, funny.

For instance, the passage "Well, he'd get help from the Bible. It was all inspired, every word, no matter what scoffers like Jim said. He'd take the first text he turned to and talk on that. He opened on: 'Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-bonzai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence.'" shows how people sometimes rely on the Bible in an almost comical way.

Lots of the same arguments that one can find in Richard Dawkins and similar thinkers also show up here, but in a much more entertaining fashion. The idea that "Yes, the Maker of a universe with stars a hundred thousand light-years apart was interested, furious, and very personal about it if a small boy played baseball on Sunday afternoon" is both thought-provoking and humorous. This is my favorite Lewis so far, I think.

It never changes

This is a stunningly well-crafted tale that is an absolute must-read! The story is not only captivating but also holds a profound truth that cannot be ignored. It serves as a powerful warning to always be vigilant in our lives. We often assume that things will remain the same or that we are safe, but this story reminds us that danger can lurk around any corner. It is essential that we pay attention to the details and not let our guard down. By reading this tale, we can gain valuable insights and learn to be more cautious in our daily lives. So, by all means, pick up this book and let it transport you into a world of mystery and suspense while also teaching you an important lesson.

I would have given this book a four-star rating if I didn't abhor Elmer Gantry as much as I do. He is truly the master manipulator, the king of scum, and the glib-tongued devil who views the world solely in terms of how it can serve him.

A brief synopsis of the story reveals that Elmer Gantry is a handsome rogue and a sports hero. The son of a religious woman, her dreams for him are entirely centered around his becoming a man of the cloth. However, he delights in whiskey and women even while attending theology classes. Unfortunately for everyone, especially women, and particularly young women, Elmer has the ability to persuade the devil himself to donate time, talent, and money - especially money - to the church if it means it will benefit Elmer Gantry.

Surprisingly, it isn't really Elmer who impressed me the most. Instead, it is a little kittenish young lady we meet early on, named Lulu Bains. At first glance, Lulu may not seem to have much significance in this novel. But upon closer inspection, we realize that Lulu is like the flawed thread that runs through an amateur's tapestry, making its ugliness even more glaring.

Lulu Bains, kittenish, pink, and fluffy, is an innocent whom we encounter when Elmer comes as the pastor to his first real church. He immediately decides that he must 'have' her, and have her he does. Just as quickly, he loses interest. Of course.

Lulu weaves in and out of Elmer's life. She doesn't matter to him, which is no big surprise. Nothing matters to Elmer except himself. But he keeps her, beguiled, on the back burner just in case he wants to toy with her more.

Eventually, the inevitable occurs. He meets someone he likes better and discards her to the curb, lying to her that his wife (yes, there is a Mrs. Gantry - Cleo - but he doesn't like her either) has discovered them. Gantry tells Lulu that she not only needs to leave him but also leave his church altogether. This is a significant blow to Lulu, as she has loved Gantry throughout his journey from a young minister to his esteemed position as a nationally renowned religious figure.

Now comes the good part, the telling part. Is Lulu bitter? Has her love turned to hatred? NO!

She crawled out after a time, a little figure in a shabby topcoat over her proud new dress. She stood waiting for a trolley car, alone under an arc-light, fingering her new beaded purse, which she loved because in his generosity He (notice the use of the capitalized H, as if Lulu thought of Elmer as God Himself..[emphasis mine:]) had given it to her. From time to time she wiped her eyes and blew her nose, and all the time she was quite stupidly muttering, "Oh, my dear, my dear, to think I made trouble for you - oh, my dear, my very dear!"

If you read this book until the end in the hope that Elmer gets his just desserts, well...I won't spoil it for you. You will need to read it yourself to discover what happens. All in all, it's worth your time.

7/12: Coincidentally and serendipitously, I am reading this while watching Preacher. I highly recommend this one-two punch to others (but only if you can stomach Preacher). These two stories are so different yet share much. Elmer helps me understand why Jesse dons that collar, and Jesse adds a modern tint to my view of Elmer.

8/3: Everyone is very aware of the recent resurgence of The Handmaid's Tale, thanks to Hulu. I'm a huge fan of Margaret Atwood. I became a lifelong fan when I was among the first 100 or so to read the book in 1985. However, at least once a week, I'm annoyed to see interviews or reviews professing amazement at Atwood's prescience. They seem unaware that it was also relevant 30 years ago. Have we forgotten Falwell, Reagan, Gingrich, Pat Robertson? We should be amazed that our fears from 30 years ago have resurfaced. It's the same cycle of historical amnesia and societal swings as in Elmer Gantry. Sinclair Lewis writes about the hypocritical power mongering of churches and religion. It's a struggle we know well, the sanctimonious right against the immoral left. This was 90 years ago, but with a few substitutions and enhancements, it could be a current-events page-turner. The big question for me is whether to take solace in history repeating. Should I feel better or defeated? If you're tempted to read something related to current events but hesitant, this might offer the right distance. It's a character study and societal temperature-taking. The character of Elmer Gantry is surprisingly subtle. Lewis keeps him from being a caricature. It's not big on plot, but the twist at the end is nice. The only downside for me is the clumsiness of the conversations. But that's a small point, and I'm no expert on early 1900s slang.

I discovered this precious gem among the forsaken books in my basement. It was penned by Sinclair Lewis, the very first American author to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Its themes are astonishingly relevant even in today's times.

The story revolves around an unethical, egomaniacal womanizer who exploits the hypocrisy of American evangelicals to ascend the ladder of "spiritual" success in the early 20th century. It is comforting to think that nearly a century later, in the age of the computer, the American public is well-informed and educated enough not to be influenced by such fraudsters.

In yet another novel, Lewis描绘了一个由首位法西斯总统统治的美国。我非常期待阅读它，并且好奇这个新的主角在走向其极端、可怕的权力之路时，是否曾是佛罗里达州的州长呢？