Being the fourth book I've read of Sinclair Lewis', I was initially primed to be thoroughly impressed by this novel. After all, it's widely regarded as his best and most-read work. However, to my honest dismay, it has turned out to be my least favorite among his books so far. The main reason for this lies in the title character himself, Martin Arrowsmith. He is, without a doubt, the least comical protagonist I've encountered in Lewis' works thus far. In this regard, a significant portion of the satire seems to be lost, as his central figure is neither a buffoon nor does he harbor outrageous delusions of grandeur. Instead, in many respects (except for the ending), Arrowsmith is a truly admirable character, wholeheartedly striving to adhere to his beliefs and resist corruption. In every way, he's not the kind of character I would have anticipated from Sinclair Lewis, and in this instance, that's a drawback. I hardly laughed at all while reading it.

That's not to suggest that Lewis is only effective when he showcases his biting, acerbic wit in character portrayal. But since this novel leans less towards a character study and more towards an actual story, it somewhat threw me off balance. In the end, I wasn't entirely impressed. Given the abundance of science involved, I'm certain this was an extremely important and relevant novel in its time. However, today, it doesn't really strike me as all that remarkable. This is often the case when something new and innovative is introduced. Over the years, so many others build upon it and make it their own, to the extent that it begins to feel tired and unoriginal, even though it's the original masterpiece. For this reason, I find Arrowsmith a bit lackluster. It's most definitely a well-written novel, but it wasn't what I expected, nor did it pleasantly surprise me. In the final analysis, it's just "Meh" for me.

Arrowsmith is a remarkable piece of literature that is truly worth a read.

Despite having a somewhat defeatist world view, it offers incisive satires and astonishing insights into the complex nature of human beings.

The story chronicles Martin's odyssey, starting from his days as a confused teenager in medical school.

He then evolves into an independent adult who runs a clinic, only to later become a naïve and over-ambitious public official.

Finally, he emerges as a successful medical researcher.

Martin's arduous and almost tortuous journey towards self-realization is filled with countless moments that both amuse and prompt deep reflection.

It allows readers to not only chuckle at the absurdities and follies of his path but also to contemplate the universal themes of ambition,理想, and the search for meaning in life.

Arrowsmith is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

Arrowsmith presents a perennial dilemma that perhaps dates back to the Greeks and the sophists. The question is whether we should pursue the noble path of our profession with purity, without being lured by fame and comfort, or if we should compromise and adopt a commercialist perspective. Is it for love or money?

Unlike some of Lewis' other works, with the exception of 'It Can't Happen Here', we encounter a heroic character, albeit one who stumbles and oscillates. Martin Arrowsmith, not as wise and certain in his position as Doremus Jessup, is pulled in two directions by his sometimes fickle choice of mentors. On one hand, he is a devotee of Max Gottlieb's pure scientific research, which lacks glamour but has a kind of monastic purity. On the other hand, there are the perceived demands of making money through his practice.

One possible undercurrent of the book, as I interpret it, is Dr Martin Arrowsmith's journey in search of a paternal figure. It seems that he is constantly eager to fill the significant void in his life. Very little is mentioned about his own family life, which is dealt with in the first few pages and then disappears for good.

This is a timeless text, aside from some of the period-specific slang. It is not as satirical as Babbitt, Dodsworth, or Main Street.

I truly understand the reason why this novel was awarded the Pulitzer. It is indeed a remarkable piece of work. However, I also recognize the challenge that modern readers encounter when attempting to read it. The language and literature of a hundred years ago are significantly different from what we have today. Sinclair Lewis' themes and targets, though, remain just as relevant and prevalent now as they were back then. It demands a greater level of concentration on the part of the reader to persevere with reading Martin Arrowsmith. This is especially true since Lewis had a co-writer for the scientific sections, which might add an extra layer of complexity. I read this novel as part of a series of discussions about science in literature. It provided me with a unique perspective and allowed me to explore the intersection of science and literature in a more in-depth manner.

I can't quite put my finger on why I was so lukewarm on this. There was nothing truly awful about it, but, frankly speaking, I also couldn't find anything worthy of praise. It's a bit of a mystery to me.

I don't know precisely how long Sinclair Lewis took to write it. Martin Arrowsmith experiences several distinct stages in his life, and interestingly, the writing style itself seems to evolve along with these stages. I don't believe this was a deliberate choice on Lewis's part. Perhaps, it was just that he naturally improved as he progressed with the writing. The prose, unfortunately, never reaches the level of excellence, but it does show some signs of improvement.

I have a couple of other minor complaints. In the earlier parts of the story, the mid-westerners are depicted as narrow-minded, Christian capitalists, and are treated in a rather simplistic manner by Lewis. On the other hand, the atheistic socialists are presented in a more favorable light. Additionally, there are basically only two women in the entire novel. We never really learn what Leora does throughout the day, and we are given almost no detailed characterization of her. In fact, I don't think the characterizations of the men were all that outstanding either, but at least most of them came closer to resembling real people.

I think I read his Babbit decades ago, and based on my experience with this book, I'm probably done with whatever else Sinclair Lewis has to offer. It seems that his works may not be to my taste.

Come for the Rockefeller connection. It adds an element of mystery and historical significance.

Stay for the humor that lightens the mood and makes the reading experience enjoyable. The compelling characters draw you in and keep you engaged from start to finish.

And then there's the philosophizing about science. It makes you think deeply about the nature of scientific discovery and its impact on society.

For a book written in the 1920s, it's truly wild (and kind of disheartening) how many of the issues raised about the science world still feel relevant today.

It's a silly yet thought-provoking read for this aspiring biologist. It makes me question the path that science is taking and what kind of future we are headed towards.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in science, history, or just a good read. It will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even change your perspective on the world.

Que me perdonen por ser tan lerda pero me ha resultado complicadísimo leer esta novela. I really struggle to get through it.

I do recognize that there is a great deal of criticism towards medicine and laboratories, and I imagine that was what was valued back then. However, a novel has to engage you in some way. The characters seem to float in the plot, as if they don't really care about anything.

They don't capture your attention or manage to involve you in the story. This novel, with all the awards it has received and its film adaptations, perhaps I expected too much. The truth is that I haven't been able to get into it. I finished it more out of stubbornness than anything else.

I definitely don't recommend it. I don't even know what star rating to give it. I gave it 3 because for me it's just average.

Martin Arrowsmith enters med school in the early nineteen hundreds in the American midwest.

The reader witnesses the complexity of dealing with both medical and social issues. Martin progresses through school with the passion of a man chasing his lifelong aspiration. When he enrolls in a bacteriology class, he can envision nothing more fulfilling than becoming a researcher.

Working diligently, he desires a change of scenery and relocates to a city called Zenith. There, he meets Madeline Fox, who is engaged in her grad school courses and appears to be on the hunt for a husband. They ultimately become engaged, and she commences attempting to transform Martin's habits, clothing, and mannerisms into those of the man she desires him to be.

Later in his medical school journey, he is dispatched to Zenith General Hospital, where he encounters a nursing student named Leora Tozer. They develop a fondness for each other, share many commonalities, and Martin becomes engaged to her as well. Now engaged to two women and unsure of what to do, he introduces them to one another. Madeline is patronizing towards Leora and belittles her background from North Dakota. This prompts Martin to lean towards Leora.

We follow Martin's life as he concludes med school, marries, and relocates to Leora's hometown to establish a family practice. It is fascinating to observe the small town community and its perspectives on alcohol consumption, gambling, pharmaceutical drugs, and medicine in general. Martin endeavors to融入 the community and Leora's interfering family, but after some time, he relocates to the city where he has greater freedom.

His true passion lies in research, and he finally secures a position in that field. During WWI, he enlists in the military and engages in research on areas that would impact military personnel. His dedication is captivating, and witnessing his determination makes us root for his success. Eventually, he focuses on finding solutions to the bubonic plague.

Well-written and providing a great portrayal of American life in the midwest in the early nineteen hundreds.

Sinclair Lewis's Arrowsmith stands out as more expansive and grandiose compared to his typical works, yet it still thrives on his familiar cynical themes.

The book chronicles the life of Martin Arrowsmith, an idealistic doctor, from his days as a Midwestern medical student to becoming one of the world's most renowned physicians. Encouraged by his mentor to focus on pure research, he also craves social advancement. This leads to his recruitment by a politically ambitious health official to work as a small town physician. Here, his idealism battles with his ambition and vices (he is a blatant womanizer with a penchant for drink). In the climactic chapters, he is sent to the West Indies to halt a raging epidemic on a small island.

Lewis's work is rich in scientific details about medicine and bacteriology, crediting biologist Paul de Kruuf as a virtual co-author. While this adds credibility, it also results in dry passages that slow down the narrative. Similarly, the scenes of Martin's marital troubles seem a bit overdone, with Lewis striving for an earnestness that doesn't come easily to him. However, the central conflict is well-portrayed, containing the cynicism that enlivens his other works. The book shines in scenes depicting Arrowsmith's feuds with ignorant boosters and arrogant senior doctors, as well as a brilliant vignette at a bogus "health fair" where the main attraction is a "Eugenically Pure" family that bribes the judges to win the prize.

Despite Lewis's caustic view of human nature, the book retains a glimmer of idealism usually absent from his work. It suggests that Arrowsmith, despite all his setbacks and compromises, can still do good through his medical practice. This is practically a feel-good ending for an author with such a harsh perspective. The book was adapted into a well-known film by John Ford in 1931, although Ford's version significantly simplifies Lewis's storyline into a straightforward melodrama.

A Satire on Scientific Idealism and Social Reality

Science has always been regarded as a pursuit of truth and a means to improve the human condition. However, in this satire, we see how scientific idealism can be easily corrupted by greed, vanity, and stupidity.

The story begins with a brilliant scientist who is determined to make a breakthrough in a particular field. He spends years of hard work and research, sacrificing his personal life and relationships in the process. Finally, he discovers a revolutionary new theory that could change the world.

But instead of sharing his discovery with the scientific community for the greater good, the scientist becomes consumed by greed and vanity. He realizes that his theory could make him incredibly rich and famous, so he decides to keep it a secret and use it for his own personal gain.

Meanwhile, the social reality around him is also full of stupidity and ignorance. People are more concerned with their own immediate desires and pleasures than with the long-term consequences of their actions. They are easily influenced by false information and propaganda, and they lack the critical thinking skills to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

As a result, the scientist's greed and vanity lead him down a path of self-destruction. His theory is eventually exposed as a fraud, and he loses everything he has worked for. And the social reality remains unchanged, with people still blindly following their own desires and ignoring the truth.

This satire serves as a warning to both scientists and society as a whole. It shows us that scientific idealism must be tempered with morality and social responsibility, and that we must all strive to be more critical thinkers and seekers of truth in order to create a better world.

I don't know precisely why I relished this book to such an extent.

It was truly captivating to explore the life of a scientist and his unwavering passion for significant work in contrast to real life. This was especially poignant after a year of the COVID Pandemic, during which research has held such crucial importance.

I am aware that Martin may not be the most exemplary human being, yet he is authentic, and in the end, he remains true to himself.

Once again, a Pulitzer Prize winner appears to be just as relevant in the present day as it was when it was penned nearly 100 years ago.

The book offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs that come with being a dedicated scientist, and it makes one reflect on the role of research in our society.

It is a testament to the power of great literature that it can still resonate with readers across generations and in different historical contexts.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in science, human nature, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Climbing all day long, he took deep breaths, and the worry in his eyes gradually cleared. And then, one day, a miracle occurred to him.

He was at the top of a pole, and suddenly, for no apparent reason, his eyes opened wide and he saw. It was as if he had just awakened from a long slumber. He saw that the prairie stretched out vast and boundless before him. The sun shone gently on the rough pasture and the ripening wheat. It bathed the old horses in its warm glow, those easy, broad-beamed, and friendly horses. And it also shone on his red-faced and jovial companions.

He saw that the meadow larks were filled with joy, singing their beautiful songs. The blackbirds were shining beside the little pools, their feathers glistening in the sunlight. With the vibrant sun, all life seemed to come alive and thrive. It was a moment of pure wonder and enlightenment for him, a moment that would change his perspective on life forever.