“[It is] by its hardness, its efficiency, its compactness that Mr. Lewis’ work excels.” Virginia Woolf
In this sardonic portrait of the up-and-coming middle class during the prosperous 1920s, On the surface, everything is all right with Babbitt’s world of the solid, successful businessman. But in reality, George F. Babbitt is a lonely, middle-aged man. He doesn’t understand his family, has an unsuccessful attempt at an affair, and is almost financially ruined when he dares to voice sympathy for some striking workers. Babbitt finds that his only safety lies deep in the fold of those who play it safe. He is a man who has added a new word to our language: a “Babbitt,” meaning someone who conforms unthinkingly, a sheep.
“[It is] by its hardness, its efficiency, its compactness that Mr. Lewis’ work excels.” Virginia Woolf
“Sinclair Lewis is one of the major prophets of our time.” William Allen White, Pulitzer Prize winner
“Mr. Lewis is a genius…an idealist, an artist.” London Observer
“Babbitt is an authentic modern American classic, a biting satire of middle-American values that retains much of its poignancy today.” Library Journal
Language | English |
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Release Day | Apr 20, 2011 |
Release Date | April 21, 2011 |
Release Date Machine | 1303344000 |
Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
Provider | Craig Black |
Categories | Literature & Fiction, Classics, Classics, Evergreen Classics, Evergreen Classics, Classics, Fiction - All, Fiction - Adult |
Overview
In this sardonic portrait of the up-and-coming middle class during the prosperous 1920s, On the surface, everything is all right with Babbitt’s world of the solid, successful businessman. But in reality, George F. Babbitt is a lonely, middle-aged man. He doesn’t understand his family, has an unsuccessful attempt at an affair, and is almost financially ruined when he dares to voice sympathy for some striking workers. Babbitt finds that his only safety lies deep in the fold of those who play it safe. He is a man who has added a new word to our language: a “Babbitt,” meaning someone who conforms unthinkingly, a sheep.