Started, didn't finish. This simple phrase can describe many situations in our lives.

Perhaps we started a project at work with great enthusiasm, but due to various reasons, we were unable to complete it on time. Maybe we began a new hobby, like learning a musical instrument or painting, but after a while, we lost interest or faced difficulties that made us give up.

It could also refer to personal goals we set for ourselves, such as losing weight or getting fit. We might start off strong, going to the gym regularly and eating healthy, but then something happened to derail our progress.

However, just because we didn't finish doesn't mean our efforts were in vain. Every experience, whether successful or not, teaches us something valuable. We can look back at what went wrong, learn from our mistakes, and use that knowledge to approach future endeavors with more determination and wisdom.

So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where you started but didn't finish, don't be too hard on yourself. Instead, take a moment to reflect on what you've learned and use it as a stepping stone to greater success in the future.

The book initially took its sweet time in doling out the action, but boy, did it make up for it in the end! The intensity towards the conclusion was palpable.

It is truly a sad read, and one can hardly fathom how people managed to survive such harsh treatment.

It is a rather disheartening reality that the human kind seems to have an inherent tendency to split into groups and an insatiable need to feel superior.

This trait often leads to unnecessary conflicts and hardships, as depicted in the book.

It makes one wonder if we will ever learn from our mistakes and move towards a more harmonious and unified existence.

Nonetheless, the book serves as a powerful reminder of the darker side of human nature and the importance of empathy and understanding.

Despite the difficult subject matter, it is a worthwhile read that leaves a lasting impression.

A little heavyhanded at times but spot on about racism in America. This story was written just after WWII. It is about a typical "white" middle class man who discovers a long lost black ancestor. The main character is curious about life among his fellow "negro" citizens. He befriends them and then comes to identify and empathize with their fate in a very racist America. When he reveals his heritage to his family, neighbors, and employer, the white community turns on him and his family. Lewis's characters discuss at length the condition of race relations. This exploration of race in America is both timely and relevant, even today. It shows the harsh reality of racism and how it can tear apart communities. The story also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming prejudice. By putting himself in the shoes of his black ancestors and their descendants, the main character gains a new perspective on race and begins to question the assumptions and biases of his own community.

Another great book by Sinclair Lewis about race relations in the great white north is a captivating and thought-provoking work. Lewis has a remarkable ability to delve deep into the complex and often sensitive topic of race. In this particular book, he explores the interactions, tensions, and prejudices that exist in the northern regions. The story unfolds against a backdrop of a harsh and unforgiving environment, which adds an extra layer of authenticity and drama. Through his vivid descriptions and well-developed characters, Lewis brings to life the challenges faced by individuals of different races in this particular setting. The book not only sheds light on the issue of race relations but also offers valuable insights into human nature and the power of prejudice. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of race in society.

This was truly excellent.

A young, married white man suddenly becomes intrigued by his family's history. To his surprise, he discovers that he had a black ancestor. At first, he is filled with fear and uncertainty. However, he is a brave and kind-hearted individual. Instead of shying away from this newfound knowledge, he decides to set out on a journey to learn about what it means to be black.

It is quite astonishing to realize that the phrases "Afro-American" and "coming out" were already in use at least as far back as 1947. This shows the long and rich history of the African American community and the evolving language used to describe it.

Terrific indeed! This story not only highlights the importance of embracing one's heritage but also sheds light on the power of language and its role in shaping our understanding of different cultures.

Neil Kingsblood is a banker residing in a small city within Minnesota.

He leads a seemingly ordinary life in the suburbs with his wife, Vestal, and their 5-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, affectionately called Biddy.

Neil's father piques his interest in some old family tales regarding a possible royal connection, which prompts Neil to conduct genealogical research.

What he discovers is that he had a great, great, great grandfather who was a negro and who married a Chippewa Indian.

Consequently, Neil realizes he has a drop of "tainted" negro blood, which he believes makes him "tainted" as well.

Neil is now faced with a dilemma. Should he disclose this information to Vestal, his father, his boss, or his co-workers?

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Neil lives in a society that is horribly racist, more so due to ignorance than direct intention.

Initially, he decides to befriend some negroes in an attempt to learn more about them.

To his surprise, he finds that negroes are mostly normal people, just like everyone else.

However, this revelation does not provide him with much solace. He still needs to find ways to cope with the racism of others and worries about the impact on his marriage and his "tainted" child.

Despite his concerns, he cannot help but admit his "taint" to one person after another.

Naturally, each individual he tells claims not to be prejudiced, but they all express worry about how "other" people will react, fearing it will have negative consequences for business, property values, or other aspects of their lives.

It is strange to read this and think that we have come a long way in the last 70 years, only to realize that we recently elected a President who is completely ignorant about the basics of government, ethics, the Constitution, Christianity, and more.

Yet, he knows how to play on people's race fears, making it "safe" for the Klu Klux Klan to publicly endorse a Presidential candidate for the first time since 1948.

Yes, we like to think we are over racism in the U.S., but the reality is often more complex. ["Oh, but it's not me, but we do have to worry about our business model, and...."]

Occasionally bombastic,

yet this work offers a searing and surprisingly insightful look at race relations in the mid-20th century in supposedly liberal Minnesota.

It challenges the common perception that Jim Crow was exclusively a Southern institution.

By delving into the experiences and struggles of African Americans in Minnesota during that time, the author reveals the hidden prejudices and inequalities that existed beneath the surface of the state's liberal reputation.

Readers will be shocked to discover the extent to which discrimination and segregation were present in Minnesota, and will gain a new understanding of the complex and often overlooked history of race relations in the North.

Anyone who believes that Jim Crow was only a Southern problem should read this book to expand their perspective and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the history of race in America.

I'm a Sinclair Lewis fan, but I had never heard of Kingsblood Royal until I chanced upon it in the library.

Apparently, it caused a furor when it was published in 1947 and then sank into relative obscurity.

As others have remarked, it seems to be ahead of its time in its handling of race relations.

The story follows pale-skinned redhead Neil Kingsblood as he discovers that he has Negro blood.

This revelation shakes up his Minnesota hometown.

The novel delves deep into the complex and often uncomfortable issues surrounding race, prejudice, and identity.

Lewis's portrayal of the characters and their reactions to Neil's discovery is both poignant and thought-provoking.

It makes the reader question their own beliefs and attitudes towards race.

Despite its initial controversy, Kingsblood Royal is a powerful and important work that deserves to be rediscovered and read by a new generation.

It serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in race relations, as well as the work that still needs to be done.

A progressive and brutally scathing satire on American racism, this work should serve as a vital history lesson. However, in the wake of the 2016 presidential election and the reemergence of white supremacy as a mainstream concern, it feels shockingly relevant today.

Putting aside the highly charged subject matter, which is no easy feat, the narrative does lose a star due to its rather flat and at times overly exaggerated characters. While this may be a characteristic trait of satire, it did on occasion render the story somewhat cartoonish, failing to fully do justice to the profound premise.

Nevertheless, even so many years after its initial publication, this novel still strikes one as an important and thought-provoking piece of literature. It forces readers to confront the uncomfortable realities of racism in America and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Overall, despite its flaws, it remains a significant work that continues to resonate and engage audiences, challenging them to think critically about the state of race relations in the United States.

Neil Kingsblood has received the astonishing news that his family might possess "royal" blood. Out of respect and as a favor to his father, Neil embarks on a thorough research into his family's origins. However, what he uncovers is completely contrary to his expectations. To his shock, Neil discovers that he has Negro blood.

Following this revelation, Neil, in true Sinclair Lewis fashion, boldly announces his Negro status to everyone in the town. As one can easily anticipate, this announcement is far from popular or positive. In fact, it leads to a complete shunning of Neil and his entire family. The residents of Grand Republic, Minnesota, who have known Neil as an upstanding citizen throughout his life, now without question accept his newly discovered Negro status but reject him entirely. This tiny drop of Negro blood has seemingly poisoned their perception of him.

This experience is both eye-opening and极其 painful for Neil and his wife. Neil stands to lose everything solely because of the race of one of his ancestors. Kingsblood Royal, with its blend of humor, darkness, and its ahead-of-its-time message, rings just as true today as it did when it was first published in 1947. Sadly, it is a stark reminder that not everything in America, especially in Middle America, has changed for the better.

In its unwavering truthtelling regarding the Black-White inequality that persists within U.S. society and even within families, whether they are white or of Black/mixed race, this book holds a literary significance comparable to that of Douglas Sirk's 1959 film IMITATION OF LIFE. It's important to note that this was Sirk's final U.S. film before he made the permanent move back to Europe.

Sinclair Lewis, on the other hand, penned KINGSBLOOD ROYAL, which delved into the lives of people of Black American/African descent in Minnesota. These were communities that prided themselves on being "all-white," yet fair-skinned Blacks were "passing" as "white" two or three decades before being Black allegedly became "cool" and, as we now see, even profitable, as evidenced by the election of a Black president in the United States. Sinclair Lewis truly deserves a posthumous award for this remarkable work.

His exploration of this complex and often overlooked aspect of American society shines a light on the hidden realities and the long history of racial inequality that has shaped the nation.

Although I initially found Sinclair Lewis's writing style to be a bit dry and lacking in sufficient description, as I delved deeper into this book, I discovered that I enjoyed it much more than "Mainstreet".

The story is about a typical white Minnesotan who suddenly discovers that he has African heritage, and chaos ensues.

Lewis has the courage to express things that I have heard before but would never have the audacity to put on paper. His boldness in addressing such sensitive topics makes this book a truly good read.

It forces the reader to confront uncomfortable truths and challenges our preconceived notions about race and identity.

Despite its flaws in writing style, the book's powerful message and thought-provoking content more than make up for it.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring themes of race, identity, and social change.

It is a timely and relevant work that will surely spark discussion and debate.