Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis: Book Review

This is part of my "Scripted Book Review" series. For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see HERE:

Book Review Playlist:

[gs]

Read this book a long time ago and thought I liked it. Rummaging through my daughters books (she moved to NYC a few years ago), I came upon her copy of the book. I have my own copy someplace in the house. Tried reading it. Could not stand the language. Picked it up and tried to read it two more times in the past. Picked it up again and gave it a try a couple of days ago. I finally finished it. I have to say it is a great book. It is a snapshot of Americana of the 1920s. It is not a pretty picture but it is sociologically accurate. Babbitt is an archetype. He is a very flawed character and representative of a typical businessman of the 1920s, who is immersed in the political and social ideas of the time. It is an education. Not pretty, but shows how our social environment shapes our thoughts and behaviors.

[workingtheories]

I love this comparison. Brings to mind Robert Moore’s “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover” and highlights how Babbitt exemplifies under active Magician energy, just like Homer.

[grantkistel]

Stg this book directly inspired American psycho

[SomeBuddy]

New subcriber. Great insight into a classic.

[jamesmacdonald]

Babbitt came before The Simpsons. They drew from Sinclair Lewis. It is generally regarded as a critique of American conformity, on what it meant to succeed in American culture. Babbitt is a victim. The Simpsons is cartoon satire--something different.

[thattimestampguy]

A Funny and Depressing Book
Protagonist: A goofy, funny, lovable, man

1:41 Flip-Flop Principle

2:45 Emptiness