Sinclair Lewis

A revival for Sinlcair Lewis.  WSJ.com - Readback.

If George F. Babbitt were alive today, he would be shocked to see how much America has changed since his era. But he would also be pleased to see how much it's the same.

As a lark this winter, I read Arrowsmith, Elmer Gantry and Dodsworth. Of the three, only Dodsworth seemed dated, and with a few small changes Arrowsmith and Gantry seemed as though they would probably feel contemporary.  I particulalrly recommend Elmer Gantry for those who find certain evangelicals trying at times.

What  I did not pick up when I read Main Street and Babbitt twenty five years ago in high school, is what a wry sense of humor Sinclair Lewis had, at least during the 1920’s. Young  readers are wrongly told to read his books as ponderous indictments of

America

in the 1920’s. But Lewis is far more forgiving of his characters'  foibles, and the books are far more fun than most have been lead to believe.