This book gets me angry.

From the very beginning, the plot seemed convoluted and confusing. The characters were not well-developed, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them.

The writing style was also a major turn-off. It was overly descriptive at times, making the story drag on, while at other times, it was too simplistic and lacked depth.

Furthermore, the author's message was unclear. I couldn't quite figure out what he or she was trying to convey through the story.

Overall, this book was a huge disappointment. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

I truly have a great passion for reading Sinclair Lewis.

His works always manage to capture my attention and hold it firmly.

This particular book is a significant departure from his other literary offerings.

It delves deep into the extremely disturbing issue of racism that prevailed during the year 1947.

Typically, his books are rather lighthearted satires that poke fun at modern life.

However, this one was at times quite challenging to read, despite the fact that he employed much of his usual engaging dialog.

The vivid descriptions and the raw portrayal of the racist attitudes and behaviors made it a powerful and thought-provoking read.

It forced me to confront the harsh realities of that era and reflect on how far we have come, or perhaps how far we still have to go in the fight against racism.

Overall, while it was a difficult read, it was also an essential one that added a new dimension to my understanding of Sinclair Lewis's body of work.

An interesting problem novel has emerged. However, there is not much emphasis on character development within it. It presents many thought-provoking ideas that make the reader stop and ponder.

Yet, when considered as a work of art, it ultimately falls short of being truly satisfying. The lack of in-depth character exploration leaves the reader with a sense of incompleteness.

While the novel may succeed in stimulating intellectual curiosity, it fails to engage the reader on an emotional level. As a result, it fails to achieve the full potential that a great work of art should possess.

Perhaps with more attention given to character development, this problem novel could have become a more memorable and fulfilling piece of literature.

Heartbreaking

I did a great deal of flinching while reading this. I was born in 1965 in Louisville, KY. Growing up, the use of the N word in my home was something that would merit a spanking. So, seeing it being casually tossed around by a toddler as the dog's original name was rather appalling.

This story is truly heartbreaking and, unfortunately, it is probably quite accurate. It is enough to make me feel ashamed to be white on more than one occasion. Wonderful advancements have been made in the area of race relations, but one only has to turn on the evening news to see that not nearly enough has changed. This story is by no means for the faint of heart. It forces us to confront the harsh realities of our past and present, and it serves as a reminder that there is still a long way to go in achieving true equality and understanding.

We must continue to have these difficult conversations and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all. Only then can we hope to move forward and heal the wounds of the past.

4.25 stars

This book, Kingsblood Royal, is not quite as smooth and captivating in its prose when compared to most of Lewis' novels. The writing style lacks that certain fluidity and charm that would draw the reader in completely.

Moreover, the ending of the book is overly melodramatic. It seems to go over the top in trying to create a sense of drama and intensity, which actually detracts from the overall quality of the story.

However, it is important to note that Kingsblood Royal was an extremely audacious work for its time. It dealt with certain truths that made some people uncomfortable, to the extent that it was even banned for several years.

In my opinion, despite its flaws, this book should be taught more frequently in college American Literature classes. It offers valuable insights into the social and cultural issues of its era and can serve as a starting point for meaningful discussions and analyses. By studying this book, students can gain a better understanding of the power of literature to challenge and change society.

Of Lewis's books, this one is by no means the best.

However, it is definitely one that stands out as especially poignant for these times, much like "It Can't Really Happen Here."

It delves into middle America, depicting its seeming benevolence and timidity, while also uncovering the dark and malicious potential that lies at its core.

The truth rests deep beneath the surface of the pretenses of custom and speech convention.

That truth is a cauldron of madness, hate, and violence, constantly seeking a target to unload upon.

In this boom, that target is often the minority populations, specifically African-Americans.

Much like in recent times, they may not be overtly "racist," but they are influenced by all kinds of racist and bigoted rhetoric, bolstered by religion, politics, and economics, for supposedly noble ends.

But make no mistake, it is still racism, and things haven't changed much since 1947 when the book was written, no more than from 1865 to 1947.

Just as "It Can't Really Happen Here" could and did happen in places that seemed impervious to such things, we should also be wary of Lewis's prescience and keen critique.

America is not going to be great again until it faces its demons. It never truly was great in the first place, and it won't be until it comes to terms with its past and present sins of racism and inequality.

We must learn from the lessons of books like this and strive to create a more just and equitable society for all.

This is far better than what I had anticipated.

It is an uneven read, to be sure. However, the stronger sections within it, along with the evidence that Sinclair Lewis did his typical thorough research before penning the novel, have indeed elevated my rating.

The visceral impact it has and the timely publication right after the war are both highly commendable.

It shows that Lewis was not only a talented writer but also had a keen sense of the historical moment.

The way he presents the story, with its mix of engaging characters and thought-provoking themes, makes it a worthwhile read.

Despite its flaws, the novel manages to capture the essence of the postwar era and offer valuable insights into the human condition.

Overall, it is a work that I would recommend to others interested in exploring the literature of that time period.

This little fable is perhaps as relevant and timely in the present day as it was when it was first written.

It serves as a powerful "text" that should be incorporated into the curricula of high schools and colleges. When students are delving into the history of racism in this country and striving to understand precisely why the concept of a black man occupying the White House incites such intense reactions in some individuals, this fable can offer valuable insights.

The edition that I had the opportunity to read was a paperback. Despite being a used copy, it was in mint condition, with a cover that was delightfully pulpy. It added a certain charm to the overall reading experience, making it even more engaging and captivating.

This fable has the potential to open up important discussions and conversations, helping students to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and often painful history of racism in our society.

This book is truly remarkable.

It is both great and terrifying at the same time.

The fact that it was published as long as 72 years ago is astonishing.

What makes it even more chilling is that the themes and issues presented in the book are still relevant and applicable to our lives today.

It makes us realize that despite all the progress and advancements we have made over the years, some things remain the same.

The book serves as a reminder of the human condition and the challenges we continue to face.

It forces us to confront our own fears and insecurities and to question the world around us.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world we live in.

Sinclair Lewis approached the "Negro" experience in a similar vein as Swift did when writing about the hunger in Ireland in "A Modest Proposal".

The main character, Neil Kingsblood, discovers through a genealogical search at his father's request that he has "Negro" ancestors. This revelation comes via a great-grandfather.

The book chronicles his journey of disclosing this information to the public, despite the fact that he is white and has red hair. It delves into his interactions with various levels of African Americans and whites as he grapples with determining his identity. The novel is set immediately after World War II.

During this time, society was still grappling with issues of race and identity. Neil's discovery forces him to confront his own prejudices and assumptions, as well as those of the people around him. Through his experiences, he begins to understand the complexity of race and the importance of acceptance and equality.

The story serves as a powerful commentary on the state of race relations in America at that time and remains relevant today. It challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and attitudes towards race and to strive for a more just and equal society.

In the old days when I attended high school, Sinclair Lewis was a mainstay in English classes. We read Main Street and Arrowsmith.

I regarded Lewis as a chronicler of mainstream American life, a life distinct from what I knew while growing up in the Bronx. Just as TV shows like Father Knows Best and Leave It to Beaver depicted families that I believed were normal American families, different from my own, I thought of Lewis as portraying the real America and that my experiences were less genuine.

I don't think I was entirely unaware of the satire in his novels, but it wasn't until later, when I read him as an adult and became familiar with It Can't Happen Here and Elmer Gantry, that I realized Sinclair Lewis was more of a critic of American culture than a chronicler. When I first read Kingsblood Royal earlier this year, my assessment of him as a critic, and a very perceptive one at that, was confirmed.

The novel is about Neil Kingsblood, an emerging young banker with solid middle-class credentials in post-WWII Minnesota. He delves into his genealogy because his father suspects a family connection to the English throne. Ironically, what his research uncovers is that one of his ancestors may have been a black man. He is initially shocked by this discovery and keeps it secret. Gradually, he becomes curious about the black people in his community and meets several of them, realizing that some of them are finer individuals than many of his white acquaintances. As someone with as much as 1/32 Negro blood, Kingsblood is labeled as a black man when he reveals his secret, and ultimately loses his job, status, and house because of it.

Lewis's selection as the first American recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature is sometimes regarded as a farce. Admittedly, he may not stand out stylistically, but his depictions of people, descriptions of places, and plot handling are second to none. What enhances his stature as a novelist is his true understanding of people and his determination to write about matters that are significant, regardless of the popularity of the topic. It is truly an eye-opening experience to read Lewis's 1947 novel about racial attitudes in 2018. His novel is not set in the deep South but in the most progressive region of the Midwest, and what Lewis exposed more than 70 years ago, we now unfortunately have to experience in our own era.

It is a very strong novel. There are many examples of extreme racism in the north of the USA after World War II. I had no idea that the situation was so difficult for black people at that time. This story is told from the perspective of a white racist bank clerk. He discovers that one of his ancestors was black, which makes him 100% black in that society. His view then changes, and he begins to fight back, all the way to the end. This book is filled with many interesting characters. They will probably stay in my memory for a long time. It offers a vivid portrayal of the harsh reality of racism and the transformation of a person's mindset. It makes the reader think deeply about the issues of race and equality. The author's writing style is engaging, and the plot keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. Overall, it is a remarkable novel that leaves a lasting impression.