Main street by sinclair lewis, fiction, classics carol milford says i do not admit that main street is as beautiful as it should be i do not admit that dishwashing is enough to satisfy all women her efforts. A new york times article from 2008 described elmer gantry. The opera, as seen at montclair state university in new jersey, is a tunefully. Killough, george and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Feb 22, 2008 elmer gantry, a flawed preacher for the ages elmer gantry, the traveling evangelist who loved whiskey, women and wealth, was conceived by sinclair lewis in a bestselling 1927 novel and continues. Elmer gantry is a 1960 american drama film about a con man and a female evangelist selling religion to smalltown america. Sinclair lewis was enough of a writer for his books to still be readable and his characters contemporary. Universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer gantry scandalized readers when it was first published, causing sinclair lewis. Although elmer is not a very nice person and he only becomes worse as he grows in power and influence, hes not a sociopath, which means.
Before sinclair lewis completed elmer gantry, methodist minister william big bill stidger boasted that he was the person after whom the book s main character would be patterned. It is now an opera, which premiered in november at nashville opera. Elmer gantry by sinclair lewis, first edition abebooks passion for books. Sinclair lewis s elmer gantry new york, 1927 is a ferocious satire against protestant fundamentalist religion in the american midwest. He was eloquently drunk, lovingly and pugnaciously drunk. Over the past few weeks, ive enjoyed sinclair lewis novel elmer gantry as an audio book, beautifully read by anthony heald and it took me a while to figure out why. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading elmer gantry. Elmer gantry is a 2007 american opera by robert aldridge to a libretto by herschel garfein based on the 1926 novel by sinclair lewis of the same name. Known for their satirical take on modern affairs, his bestknown books include. After an extremely unhappy childhood, he went to yale but left before graduation to work in upton sinclair. Universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer gantry scandalized readers when it was first published, causing sinclair lewis to be invited to a jail cell in new hampshire and to his own. Elmer gantry is a full length, twoact opera based on the 1927 sinclair lewis novel of the same name, which was sighted by the nobel prize committee when. Elmer gantry by sinclair lewis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Adapted by director richard brooks, the film is based on the 1927 novel of the same name by sinclair lewis.
Elmer gantry by sinclair lewis elmer gantry, long tedious and really cynical. Explore releases from elmer gantrys velvet opera at discogs. A little story about the bad old days is illustrative. A surprising thought, perhaps, given what a fixture sinclair lewis s 1927 fictional portrait of a bogus and. Universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer ga. Elmer gantry s titular character is a boozing womanizer who, as a college. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, and dust jackets may not be included. This tale of a hypocritical preacher who prefers money, booze and women over saving souls is today considered a classic. An agreement was made to move forward on a full production which boston lyric later dropped.
In elmer gantry, sinclair lewis uses the character of elmer gantry to represent, without nuance or ambiguity, what he viewed as the prototypical evangelical minister of his day. Elmer gantry by sinclair lewis goodreads share book. Elmer gantry has even been made into a new opera, with a score by. Dec 28, 2007 you probably didnt notice it, but that old rogue elmer gantry turned 80 this year. Sinclair lewis 1885 1951 sinclair lewis february 7, 1885 january 10, 1951 was an american novelist and playwright. His portrait of a goldentongued evangelist who rises to power within his churcha saver of souls who lives a. Elmer gantry has even been made into a new opera, with a score by robert aldridge and a libretto by herschel garfein, that recently premiered in nashville. A dreamer, at age he unsuccessfully ran away from home, wanting to become a drummer boy in the spanish. The nashville opera presented the world premiere in november 2007. Sinclair lewis a project gutenberg of australia ebook ebook. Robert aldridges opera elmer gantry, adapted from sinclair lewiss 1927 satire of evangelism, has become the poster child for how nearly impossible it is to get a new work produced by an american opera company. This tale of a hypocritical preacher who prefers money, booze and. See more ideas about elmer gantry, old time religion and appalachian people.
An opera in two acts libretto by herschel garfein based on the novel by sinclair lewis. This was followed by the two novels considered by many to be his finest, babbitt 1922 and arrowsmith 1925, which was awarded the pulitzer prize in 1926, but declined by lewis. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. In 1930, following elmer gantry 1927 and dodsworth 1929, sinclair lewis became the first american author to be awarded the nobel prize for distinction in world. Sinclair lewis, the first american to win the nobel prize for literature, was born in sauk centre, minnesota, in 1885.
Elmer gantry in novel and opera after listening to a new recording of an opera, elmer gantry by robert aldridge with a libretto by herschel garfein, i wanted to read the famous 1927 novel by sinclair lewis on which the opera. Elmer gantry was conceived almost two decades before its premiere. Sinclair lewis 18851951 won the nobel prize for literature in 1930, the first american novelist to be so honored. Elmer gantry, is initially attracted by booze and easy money though he eventually renounces tobacco and alcohol and chasing women. Universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer gantry scandalized readers when it was first published, causing sinclair lewis to be invited to a jail cell in new hampshire and to his own lynching in virginia. Habeas corpus, by sinclair lewis, part 1 the opera of elmer gantry lewis and the 150 best minnesota books, by patrick coleman it cant happen here and a cool million, by sally e. A complete biography of sinclair lewis, author of elmer gantry. Listen to elmer gantry audiobook by sinclair lewis.
He wrote his classic books main street 1920, babbitt 1922, arrowsmith 1925, and elmer gantry 1927while living in the capital. Keith phares elmer gantry, patricia risley sharon falconer, vale rideout frank. Published in 1926, this is the story of a professional good man, a preacher and pastor in those first decades of the 20th century before the great depression. For the better part of a century, the title of sinclair lewiss phenomenally successful and often reviled novel elmer gantry 1927 has been a byword for religious fraud and bunk. Elmer gantry keith phares sharon falconer patricia risley. He wrote his classic books main street 1920, babbitt 1922, arrowsmith 1925, and elmer gantry. Adapted by director richard brooks, the film is based on the 1927 novel of the same name by sinclair lewis and stars burt lancaster, jean simmons, arthur kennedy, shirley jones and patti page. The boston lyric opera and boston music theatre project put on a workshop production of the first act in 1992. Elmer gantry, all persons connected with the profanation of the sabbath by showing motionpictures were arrested for three sundays in succession after which the motionpictures went on as before, and elmer received telegrams of esteem from the sacred sabbath league, j. Best sellers todays deals new releases customer service gift ideas books. Bookplate with keats quote, the poetry of earth is never dead, on front endpaper. Elmer gantry is a satirical novel written by sinclair lewis in 1926 that presents aspects of the religious activity of america in fundamentalist and evangelistic circles and the attitudes of the 1920s public toward it.
Publication date 1927 topics iiit collection digitallibraryindia. I liked how it was based only on the second half of the book. He leaned against the bar of the old home sample room, the most gilded and urbane saloon in cato, missouri, and requested the bartender to join him in the good old summer time, the waltz of the day. For two years life was a whirlwind to elmer gantry. The great satirical novelist, one of the most famous american writers of the 1920s, whose novels are popular for its satire, humor, descriptions of social. In 1927, american novelist sinclair lewis published elmer gantry. Named himself in honour of the character in the burt lancaster movie elmer gantry. Sinclair lewis ferocious 1927 satire, elmer gantry, traces the career of a young man who is sent to a theological seminary by his pious mother but initially has no interest in becoming a minister. Elmer gantry is a satirical novel written by sinclair lewis in 1926 that presents aspects of the religious activity of america in fundamentalist and evangelistic.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Elmer gantry in novel and opera after listening to a new recording of an opera, elmer gantry by robert aldridge with a libretto by herschel garfein, i wanted to read the famous 1927 novel by sinclair lewis on which the opera was based. It tells the story of a hypocritical, corrupt, but very successful preacher named elmer gantry. This study guide consists of approximately 22 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of elmer gantry. Universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer gantry. Elmer gantry, sinclair lewis s 1927 novel about a hypocritical preacher, has been made into a play, a movie and a musical. Elmer gantry s velvet opera, at various times also known as velvet opera, was a british rock band active in the late 1960s. You probably didnt notice it, but that old rogue elmer gantry turned 80 this year. It was so frantic that he could never remember which town was which. Members of the band would later become members of the strawbs, hudson ford and stretch.
Today universally recognized as a landmark in american literature, elmer gantry scandalized readers when it was first published, causing sinclair lewis to be invited to a jail cell in new hampshire and to his own lynching in virginia. See more of elmer gantry american opera on facebook. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from elmer gantrys velvet opera at the discogs marketplace. Born in 1885 in minnesota, sinclair lewis worked as a newspaper journalist before becoming an acclaimed novelist. Elmer gantry by sinclair lewis, first edition abebooks. Elmer gantry is a bit dated, but it remains entertaining and smart, and probably a lot more enjoyable if. Lewis s depiction of elmer and his immersion in the evangelical world is the strongest aspect of the book. Possible ex library copy, with all the markingsstickers of that library. The first american writer to win the nobel prize for literature 1930, sinclair lewis lived and worked in dc during what would be his most productive period. Sinclair lewis books biography and list of works author. War i, sinclair lewiss incendiary novel elmer gantry tells a story of. Sinclair lewis biography study guides and book summaries. Elmer gantry sinclair lewis worldfamous satire of religious hypocrisy and the excesses of the roaring.
Sinclair lewis worldfamous satire of religious hypocrisy and the excesses of the roaring. Robert aldridges opera elmer gantry, adapted from sinclair lewis s 1927 satire of evangelism, has become the poster child for how nearly impossible it is to get a new work produced by an american opera company. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Based on sinclair lewis 1927 novel of the same name, elmer gantry is an opera with music by robert aldridge and a libretto by herschel garfein that. Sep 22, 2014 a little story about the bad old days is illustrative. Although he was proud of his midwestern roots, he traveled widely and was. Was a member of the of the bogus fleetwood mac band, that the then manager clifford davis send on a us tour in 1974 when the real fleetwood mac rejected the tour. Born harry sinclair lewis in sauk centre, minnesota, he began reading books at a young age and kept a diary. Charley watley, the house painter, commander of the ezra p. In fact, upon warrants sworn to by the reverend dr. Elmer gantry is the portrait of a silvertongued evangelist who rises to power within his church, yet lives a life of hypocrisy, sensuality, and ruthless selfindulgence.
Elmer gantry by lewis, sinclair and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Gantry, while elmer was saying within, say, youre a kid id like to get acquainted with. In particular, elmer gantry is a perfect study of hypocrisy and rationalization in action. After seeing advanced sheets of the book, stidger attempted to distance himself from the elmer gantry character and tried to discredit it by announcing that lewis. No character in this book is the portrait of any actual person. This sounds like a winner an america opera based on sinclair lewis classic novel, elmer gantry. Jan 20, 2008 and the public unveiling of their elmer gantry, produced by nashville opera along with the peak performances series at montclair state university in new jersey, had gone off beautifully. Lewis had long wanted to write a novel about what he called the religion racket. Reading all books referenced on gilmore girls a classic thats sadly still relevant today. Pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. He was born in sauk centre, minnesota, the son of a doctor. Sinclair lewis books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography.
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