"Ќе живееме сега па макар и умреле од тоа!" This powerful statement reflects a sense of determination and a willingness to embrace life fully, regardless of the consequences. It implies that we should not be afraid to take risks and experience all that life has to offer, even if it means facing challenges and difficulties along the way.

By choosing to live in the present moment, we can make the most of every opportunity and create memories that will last a lifetime. We can learn from our experiences, grow as individuals, and become stronger and more resilient.

Moreover, this attitude encourages us to let go of our fears and inhibitions and to pursue our dreams with passion and purpose. It reminds us that life is short and precious, and that we should not waste a single moment.

In conclusion, "Ќе живееме сега па макар и умреле од тоа!" is a call to action, a reminder to live life to the fullest and to make every moment count.

In this appropriate novel on race, the content truly stands the test of time.

Lewis masterfully touches upon the complex and often multifaceted reality. At times, it can be disheartening and cruel, revealing the harsh truths that exist within the realm of race. However, there are also moments of humor that lighten the mood and offer a glimmer of hope.

The characters in the novel are extremely well developed, each with their own unique personalities, motives, and struggles. Through their stories, the reader gains a profound insight into another side of the race experience, one that others may not traditionally think of.

This novel is truly a classic that demands to be read over and over again. It has the power to educate, inspire, and provoke thought, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issue of race.

This is the first Sinclair Lewis book that I have read.

It won’t be my last. I had no expectations when, on a whim, I pulled the book off my book shelf and began to read it.

What I found was a very progressive read, even for our times, and especially for the time in which it was written and set.

In this story, Neil Kingsblood, the protagonist, a white man by all regards, is prompted by his father to research his ancestry to see if they are born from royalty.

What he finds instead, is that he comes from the blood of a black French Canadian frontiersman, which, according to the laws at the time, make Neil, and his family, black.

Neil’s struggle with this knowledge and whether he should come out, so to speak, or not, is both painful and fascinating to witness.

The way Sinclair Lewis portrays Neil’s internal conflict and the external pressures he faces is truly remarkable.

It makes the reader question the very nature of race and identity, and how society’s definitions can have a profound impact on an individual’s life.

This book is not just a historical piece, but a relevant and thought-provoking read for today.

I look forward to reading more of Sinclair Lewis’ works and exploring the complex themes he presents.

Wow!

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This age-old adage holds true in many aspects of our lives.

Take technology, for example. While we have seen remarkable advancements in the past few decades, the fundamental need for communication and connection remains unchanged.

Similarly, in relationships, the way we interact may have evolved with the use of social media and other digital platforms, but the importance of trust, respect, and love has not.

In nature, too, we witness the cycle of change and constancy. The seasons come and go, but the beauty and wonder of the natural world persist.

So, the next time you notice something changing, remember that there are often deeper underlying constants that remain.

Embrace the change, but also cherish the things that stay the same.

For it is in the balance of the two that we find true growth and meaning in our lives.

I was truly amazed by this book.

As I delved into its pages, I was continuously struck by the profound thought that this man, Sinclair Lewis, was astonishingly far ahead of his time in the way he perceived society and justice.

His insights were so sharp and his understanding so deep that it left me wondering why this book doesn't receive more recognition as a great literary work.

It seems almost不可思议 that such a masterpiece could be somewhat overlooked.

The themes and ideas presented in the book are still relevant today, perhaps even more so than when it was first written.

It makes one question the way we view and judge society, and challenges us to think more critically about the issues of justice and equality.

I believe that this book has the potential to have a significant impact on readers, if only more people would discover and appreciate it.

It is a work that deserves to be studied, discussed, and remembered for its timeless wisdom and powerful message.

At the beginning of Kingsblood Royal, Neil Kingsblood, the protagonist of Nobel-laureate Sinclair Lewis's 1947 novel, is a prosperous young banker and a recently returned WWII vet in the upper-Midwestern town of Grand Republic.

He has a wife named Vestal, a young daughter named Elizabeth (Biddy), and a live-in maid named Belfreda. He is a social success with a seemingly bright future and is regarded as a pillar of his community.

Inspired by family lore that claims they are descended from royalty (Henry VIII and Cathrine of Aragon), Neil begins researching his family's genealogy. He discovers that one of his forebearers, a frontiersman named Xavier Pic, was a self-professed full-blooded Negro, making Neil 1/16th negro and his daughter 1/32 black.

This revelation precipitates a crisis of identity for Kingsblood, who had hitherto been uncritically and matter-of-factly racist. During a holiday'stag' party at his prestigious country club, an incendiary racist speech is given, targeting several of Neil's newly acquired black friends as "Negro agitators."

Neil decides to publicly "out" himself as a negro, which sets off a string of ever-worsening events. He is forced to resign from the club, loses his position at the bank, and is besieged by a mob of white terrorists when he refuses to leave his home in a "white" neighborhood protected by a restrictive covenant.

The story thus unfolds, exploring themes of race, identity, and the consequences of one's actions in a deeply divided society.

Every white person should take the time to read this book.

Even though it was written 75 years ago, in 1947, its message remains as relevant today as it was then.

America is unfortunately a country that still struggles with racism. This continues to astonish me because we are supposed to be a "melting pot" nation. I highly doubt there is a single country in the world that is not represented within the United States. However, for some archaic, superstitious, and absurd reason, we discriminate against African Americans more than any other group.

Come on, America! It's time to get over ourselves and start living as if we have truly internalized the teachings of our Bibles. We need to embrace equality and respect for all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Only then can we truly call ourselves a great nation.

Prejudice is indeed the most precious birthright of the ignorant.

My students frequently enjoy discussing hypothetical scenarios in the classroom. "Would you have been an abolitionist?" or "Would you have hidden Jews in your home?" Having these conversations can be enjoyable, but ultimately they are not very revealing; everyone believes that they would do the right thing. Even so, I have constantly been wondering, "What if I were Neil Kingsblood?"

Neil Kingsblood, during the era of Jim Crow, has to come to terms with the discovery that he has an African ancestor. In 2021, this would be a rather insignificant discovery, but in the 1940s it could completely change your fate. Once Neil decides to accept his lineage, he quickly encounters the consequences.

It is truly exciting to read Lewis when he is being direct and uncompromising. I earnestly wish I had the opportunity, talent, and courage to condemn an evil as widespread as racism in America. Sinclair Lewis clearly was not afraid to offend and stir up strong emotions with this book, and perhaps that was precisely his intention.

By exploring these themes and ideas, we can gain a deeper understanding of the past and the importance of combating prejudice in all its forms.

A great, go-down-swinging ending that is reminiscent of the combination of Frank Capra and Quentin Tarantino. It is truly a remarkable conclusion that leaves a lasting impression. I found myself constantly having to remind myself that the racially obscene language used in the story was a part of the everyday life for most Americans at the end of World War II. This aspect added a layer of authenticity to the narrative, although it was quite uncomfortable at times. Lewis really surprised me with the acerbity of this read. It felt more like an expose of northern racism rather than a satire. The author's ability to bring to light the harsh realities of that era through his writing is both commendable and eye-opening. It makes one reflect on the progress that has been made in society since then and the work that still needs to be done to combat racism.

Hero.

Again.

This is all about a white dude who discovers that he has a little black in him and what ensues.

It's not that good of stuff that happens.

Maybe he starts to face some inner turmoil as he grapples with this newfound aspect of himself.

Perhaps there are external challenges as well, as society may view him differently now.

He might struggle to come to terms with his identity and how this new revelation affects his relationships, his sense of self, and his place in the world.

It could be a story of self-discovery, but also one of pain and confusion.

How will he navigate through these difficulties?

Will he be able to embrace this part of himself and find a way to move forward?

Or will he be consumed by the negative experiences that come his way?

Only time will tell.

Neil Kingsblood, an affluent white male, recently made his way back to the mythical town of Grand Republic, Minnesota after being wounded in World War II.

He settles into his predictable life as a rising bank executive. One day, his father, who believes they have distant relatives in the English royal family, asks him to research their genealogy.

To his surprise, Neil discovers that his ancestor, thought to be a French voyager, was actually Black, making him 1/32 Black. He decides to keep this news from his family as he endeavors to learn more about the black society in his community, something completely foreign to his upbringing and worldview.

Thus begins an unpredictable life journey that will have a profound impact on his family, community, and future.

Lewis's depictions of Negro culture, white (and Black) racism, and the interaction between the races, written in 1947, remain as relevant today as they were then.

The conversations Neil has with his new Black friends, within his white social circle, and with his family are some of the most honest ever written. The gradations of white racism that Lewis sums up in Chapter 31 are masterful highlights.

The writing reveals idiosyncratic northern and southern racial stereotypes that haven't changed much since Mark Twain's classic Pudd’nhead Wilson.

Considering the time since the novel was written more than 75 years ago and the recent resurgence of vocal bigotry and racism in the U.S., an apt subtitle for it today might be: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Lewis has created some of the most iconic fictional figures in American literature. Neil Kingsblood, though less-known, deserves his place among them. This great book is convincingly constructed on a foundation of moral clarity and human tension.

Certainly, Kingsblood Royal is a solid satire that commences with great force. It possesses that unique, almost paradoxical trait of containing astoundingly perceptive and prophetic insights about race on a grand scale, while simultaneously having a main character whose actions are arguably implausible. Lewis contends that the deeds Neil Kingsblood undertakes throughout the work, often evoking a queer "coming out" narrative in its arcs and machinations, are believable acts of courage. For those who struggle to envision anyone prior to our generation openly declaring themselves as anything specific, the idea that he would willingly resign from the white race seems so contrary to our perception of the past that we wonder, "How could anyone have had the courage to come out as gay/trans/mixed-race/etc back then?" However, the truth is that people did, and in the case of gay men, Quentin Crisp is an example.

The other aspect is how believable Kingsblood's courage is when he publicly proclaims his deep, dark secret, revealing himself to a hostile audience because he is enraged by their remarks or极度annoyed at their ignorance, or both. The plausibility of these moments was difficult for me to accept until I recalled my own coming out experience in my life. Indeed, I was so frustrated with the ignorant homophobia of a classmate during a class discussion that I insisted, based on personal experience, that queerness is not a choice, unknowingly outing myself in the process. So, while it may not be the same time, context, or environment, I can empathize with Kingsblood and what Lewis was aiming for in those scenarios. Nevertheless, I cannot claim to have resolved the tensions between relatability and plausibility.

Lewis, however, is customarily acerbic and entertaining throughout, albeit not as consistently as in his other works. Some elements of the early to middle part of the book become mired in teaching scenes, where the Black characters impart the truth to Neil and, by extension, the audience. Lewis particularly excels in depicting how white people choose to interact with him, and the "well I'm not prejudiced but I worry for you because of those who are" deceptions are in full display. By the novel's conclusion, Lewis manages to avoid these preachy yet necessary exchanges in favor of a plot that has more forward momentum than, for example, Babbitt's, which I will admit I dislike despite being an overall admirer of Lewis.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for its passages that sometimes read like a Baldwin interview, then like a sepia-toned sketch from the early Chappelle's Show, and at other times like it has flashes of the brilliant Main Street. I must give a special mention to Neil Kingsblood's wife, Vestal, for being a constant source of amusement throughout the book. This work impressively balances pedagogy with a dynamic plot, good humor, and (some) memorable characters. It ranks between Arrowsmith and It Can't Happen Here for me.