Wow, it's truly astonishing how much people disliked this book upon its initial publication. The author, Sinclair Lewis, faced some rather extreme reactions. He was "invited" to a jail cell in New Hampshire and even had the threat of being lynched in Virginia.

Personally, it's not my favorite among Sinclair Lewis's books, but I certainly don't advocate for such violent responses. Elmer Gantry was published in 1926 and offers a glimpse into the religious activity within fundamentalist and evangelistic circles in the United States during that time, as well as the public's attitudes towards it.

The protagonist, Reverend Dr. Elmer Gantry, is a complex character attracted to drinking, easy money (although he eventually gives up tobacco and alcohol), and womanizing. After various ventures into smaller, fringe churches, he manages to become a significant moral and political force within the Methodist Church, despite his blatant hypocrisy and numerous sexual indiscretions.

Lewis conducted extensive research for this novel by observing the work of several preachers in Kansas City during the Wednesday Sunday School meetings. I must say, I really think something held on a Wednesday should have a more appropriate name than Sunday School. Bill Stidger, the pastor of one of the Kansas City churches, introduced Lewis to many other clergymen. He spent a great deal of time interviewing numerous pastors, and from all of this, Elmer Gantry was born. I can't help but wonder what all those interviewed pastors thought when they read the book.

The story commences with a young, womanizing college student, Elmer Gantry, who abandons his early aspiration to become a lawyer. The legal profession is simply too ethical for him, so he decides to pursue a career as a minister. I found this quite humorous. He attempts to become a Baptist minister but is thrown out of the seminary because he is too drunk to attend a church where he is scheduled to preach. Now on his own, he spends several years as a traveling salesman before meeting Sharon Falconer, a popular motivational speaker and evangelist with a road church show. Those shows are rather dumb, as we recently had one about two miles from where I live, and we chose not to go. However, he loses his source of income, Sharon, in a tent fire and eventually becomes a Methodist minister. From there, things just seem to go downhill.

People truly despised this book. It was burned in Boston, condemned from the pulpits, and there were suggestions that Lewis should be imprisoned for five years. He was labeled as Satan's cohort, yet the book achieved commercial success. It was the best-selling work of fiction in America in 1927. I suppose that means either not all the copies were burned or we were purchasing them to use as firewood. Lewis attended two or three church services each Sunday, as well as those Wednesday night events, and this book is the result. I hope my church wasn't one of the ones he visited. Read the book to discover what else unfolds for Elmer and the people around him.

Author Sinclair Lewis is renowned for his meticulous and intimate portrayals of ordinary characters going about their daily lives, revealing their subtleties and flaws. The sheer variety of characters he creates is truly remarkable. However, Reverend-to-be Elmer Gantry stands out from the ordinary, yet not from the routine. This story seems to be told in what could potentially be two books, perhaps even two and a quarter.

In the first half, Gantry discovers his path in life during the early 20th century in middle America. He evolves from the stereotypical college dumb jock to realizing his gift of gab and the accompanying need to be the center of attention. As he transforms into the quintessential hypocritical minister, many view the book as an attack on religion, perhaps fulfilling their own doubts. I believe it is more of an illustration of hypocrisy in any form. After all, Lewis frequently depicts all aspects of the religious spectrum in various character debates. In a time before television and movies (hard to imagine), local churches were the social fabric of a community, and the 'Holy Rollers' and traveling evangelists, with their giant tents, circus-like atmosphere, and promise of salvation, were an entertaining sight, part locusts, part salvation.

The charismatic Gantry finds his calling performing before large crowds, while indulging in drinking, smoking, and womanizing behind the scenes, all the while preaching the opposite on stage. The first chapter of his life concludes with a large religious gathering being consumed by a inferno. Could there be a more blatant message from Hell? As Gantry catches his breath, the tone of the book changes in the second half. He settles down a bit, gets married, and quits drinking and smoking. Lewis was an alcoholic, perhaps there is a hint of longing? But it's difficult for him to stop chasing women, and his ambition remains paramount - desiring to lead a larger congregation, a more prestigious church, and be a community leader.

Gantry's personal motto, "Be good most of the time, but you can't be all the time haha," is followed by many. Lewis peppers the story with satiric humor throughout, while lambasting all hypocritical religious leaders. He has them pondering whether they would make good real estate agents, which I'm sure is a dig at both professions. He doesn't spare politicians, police, college administrators, or anyone else. Published in 1927, I wonder what other era-specific jokes are hidden within the pages? He also includes a humorous jab at 'Main Street', his earlier Pulitzer Prize-winning work, with one character remarking on how long and boring it is.

In the last 50 pages, Lewis must have felt it was time to wrap things up as it devolves into a melodramatic potboiler with (even more) wild women, blackmailers, thugs, and the final lengthy religious debates that he seemingly omitted from the previous 400 pages. This tale can feel overly preachy at times, not quite up to the standards of 'Main Street', but it's still a good read!

My 1964 paperback edition (60 cents!) features Burt Lancaster on the cover, who portrayed Gantry so convincingly in the movie that he became the embodiment of any bombastic preacher. Even those who haven't seen the movie still associate Lancaster with the type.

This was truly hot stuff back in 1926. At long last, a significant author had the courage to take on evangelical Christians, such as Billy Sunday, and expose them as gullible country bumpkins following shyster hypocrites. Individuals who loathed Christianity, like HL Mencken, eagerly devoured it.

However, 90 years later, after the ceaseless and unending attacks on Christian Evangelicals in movies, on TV, and in print, it's still the same old thing. It's like we've been there and done that, and in a more savage way.

Other drawbacks: Gantry is a second-rate operator, dull, and not really much of a con-man. Which is a pity, since the entire book is centered around him. Additionally, we are bombarded with way too much "Gee Wiz" 1920s slang. Perhaps people actually spoke like that back then, but it's still irritating! The ending is also bad. In fact, Mencken, who mostly adored the book, claimed that Lewis wrote the last 30,000 words while intoxicated.

"We shall yet make these United States a moral nation!" says a very bad man and Professional Good Man - i.e. minister of the gospel - Elmer Gantry when he was first published in 1927.

You may note that he proleptically anticipated the Moral Majority politics of the 80s by 50 years, and the bizarro blend of Christianity and large trucks with machine gun decals that have been telling us to Make America Great Again by 85 years.

I hear that the (no but, like, actually) admirable Billy Graham routinely had his staff read this book to illustrate the potential moral dangers of success as a Professional Good Man, and the tendency that we generally all do have to think that the spectacular is more durable and real than the private and domestic.

Sinclair Lewis's novels are profoundly psychologically knowing, gently bitter, wisdom producing, and genuinely interesting as well. We've done ourselves a large scale mistake in forgetting him. Nobel Prize winner, people! Give him a chance! He was a master of capturing the human condition and the flaws and foibles of society. His works offer valuable insights into the moral and ethical dilemmas that we face even today. By neglecting his novels, we are missing out on a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. Let's rediscover Sinclair Lewis and give his works the attention they deserve.

I'm never quite certain how to review a classic that is over 90 years old. It seems as if everything that could be said about it has already been said.

This particular work was both funny and sarcastic, making it a pleasant audiobook to listen to.

My only minor concern might be its length. It felt like it could have been about 30% shorter without losing any of its essence.

However, I'm glad that I'm challenging myself to read at least one book from the last 100 years. This challenge has helped me discover these hidden gems.

I have plans to read "Babbitt" and "It Can't Happen Here" next. These books seem particularly relevant in the Trump era, as they explore themes of conformity, power, and the potential for democracy to be undermined.

Overall, this journey through the literature of the past 100 years has been an enlightening and enjoyable one. #100yearsofbooks

Wow! This book presents a rather unflattering portrayal of a preacher who seems to be going through the motions of doing the job, lacking any genuine commitment to Christ or a true calling.

Set in the early part of the 20th Century, it provides an interesting indictment on the nature of pioneering religion.

I suspect that Lewis aims to paint preachers in a rather negative light as he doesn't offer us any characters who are truly outstanding men of God.

While the book might have the potential to anger those of us who are in the ministry, perhaps it serves as an important examination of just how "human" spiritual leadership can be.

In fact, I believe that this book is worth reading for anyone who is attempting to follow God in a ministry position. It offers valuable insights into the challenges and pitfalls that can accompany such a calling, and perhaps helps us to better understand the importance of authenticity and true commitment in our spiritual leadership.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking work that encourages us to reflect on our own motives and actions as we strive to serve God in the context of ministry.

This book has the power to evoke a strong sense of anger within you.

As you turn the pages, you might find yourself seething with indignation at the various events and situations described.

The author's vivid portrayal and incisive analysis can truly stir up emotions.

However, it doesn't stop there. After the initial outburst of anger, this book will also make you think deeply.

It forces you to question the status quo, to examine your own beliefs and values, and to consider different perspectives.

It challenges you to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden truths and underlying issues.

By the time you reach the end of this book, you will have not only experienced a range of emotions but also gained a newfound understanding and awareness.

It will leave a lasting impression on you and perhaps even inspire you to take action.

This book is not just a source of entertainment; it is a catalyst for change.

I truly relished the initial 150 pages of this particular work. The story seemed to unfold in a captivating manner, drawing me in with its engaging plot and well-developed characters.

However, as I delved deeper into the subsequent 346 pages, I found myself facing a rather arduous task. The title character remained compelling throughout, and Lewis' scathing indictment of organized religion was indeed intriguing. It offered a fresh perspective and made me reflect on the role and influence of religion in society.

Nevertheless, the novel suffered from a significant drawback. It became overly repetitive, with certain themes and plot elements being reiterated time and again. This repetitiveness, combined with a lack of sufficient variety and excitement, made the reading experience rather dull and tiresome. As a result, despite its initial promise and some interesting aspects, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

At times, this piece can be a bit longwinded.

However, it is a truly great takedown of religious egomaniacs, hypocrites, and their followers.

It delves deep into the flaws and follies of those who claim to be religious but act in ways that are completely contrary to the teachings they profess.

The description of these individuals is both scathing and accurate, painting a vivid picture of their self-centeredness and lack of true spiritual understanding.

It is sad to remember that there are still so many Elmer Gantrys in the United States.

These are the people who use religion as a tool for their own gain, rather than a means to seek truth and enlightenment.

They deceive themselves and others, causing harm and division in the process.

Hopefully, this article will serve as a wake-up call to those who have been misled by such individuals and encourage them to seek a more genuine and meaningful spiritual path.

As with a significant portion of Lewis' work, it is prophetic in its recognition of the toxic trends within American life and thought. One might regard this as the fictional equivalent of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.

Well-written, yet it was a struggle for me to finish due to my intense dislike of the title character. His hypocrisy, narcissism, and insatiable desire for power and admiration became truly hard to endure, especially when others suffered as a result.

Sharon Falconer is an interesting character, possessing what turns out to be a female- and pagan-based theology, but that part of the book seemed oddly out of place, as if it had been plucked from an entirely different novel. Frank Shallard's fate is truly horrifying.

I'm not certain how to rate this one. It definitely strikes a chord, perhaps even more so now than when it was written. However, Gantry is such an entirely repulsive main character that I'm hesitant to recommend it to anyone. You might end up feeling slightly queasy, as I did. You could simply read the news about any number of current evangelical scandals (for instance https://medium.com/belover/top-10-eva... and https://medium.com/belover/top-10-eva...) and have a very similar experience.

Some of Lewis’s finest work with plot is truly remarkable. The story doesn't waste time and gets going quickly, not taking a whopping 200 pages to start. And the final act is simply delicious, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat. Even the philosophical dialogues are compelling, making one think deeply about various aspects. However, I thought it was a fatal mistake to kill off the novel’s best character halfway through. But Lewis manages to make up for it with Frank Shallard and a satisfying finale. That being said, like all the author’s books, it's a bit bloated. The dialogue, although improved, is better skimmed rather than read word for word. After all, real people never speak in long paragraphs like Sinclair Lewis characters always do. Still, it's all worth putting up with for Lewis’s trenchant observations about the Land of the Free. This country seems to never change, and Lewis captures its essence in a unique way.

Lewis has a remarkable ability to capture religion in all its complex aspects.

He presents religion not as a simple and pure concept but rather as something that is intertwined with emotionalism. People often attach intense emotions to their religious beliefs, which can sometimes lead to extreme behavior.

Ignorance is another element that Lewis highlights. Some individuals may hold onto religious ideas without truly understanding them, relying on dogma and tradition rather than critical thinking.

Egoism also rears its head in the religious context. Some people may use their religious affiliation to boost their own self-importance or to feel superior to others.

Finally, hypocrisy is a common trait that Lewis observes. Many religious people may claim to follow certain moral and ethical principles but fail to live up to them in their daily lives.

Lewis' portrayal of religion is a thought-provoking and honest one, challenging us to look beyond the surface and examine the true nature of our beliefs.