Babbitt (Annotated)

Sinclair Lewis

Sinopse

"Babbitt," penned by the incomparable Sinclair Lewis, stands as a luminous jewel in the crown of American literature, a masterful exploration of the human condition within the bustling backdrop of 1920s Midwest America. Lewis's narrative prowess shines brilliantly in this poignant and satirical examination of George F. Babbitt, a quintessential everyman whose life becomes a canvas upon which the complexities of societal expectations, conformity, and the quest for self-discovery are masterfully painted.

The novel unfurls in the bustling metropolis of Zenith, a Midwestern city emblematic of the rapidly changing landscape of 20th-century America. Babbitt, the titular protagonist, is an emblematic figure—a prosperous and ostensibly content real estate broker navigating the tumultuous waters of the American Dream. His story becomes a captivating odyssey through the labyrinths of middle-class aspirations, familial expectations, and the unrelenting pursuit of material success.

Babbitt, the character, is a fascinating study in contradictions. On the surface, he epitomizes the archetypal successful businessman—a stalwart pillar of the community, a member of various clubs, and an advocate for civic engagement. However, beneath this veneer of respectability lies a profound discontent. Lewis, with surgical precision, dissects Babbitt's psyche, revealing the yearning for authenticity beneath the layers of societal conformity.

The novel's brilliance lies in Lewis's ability to render Babbitt not as a mere caricature but as a deeply human and flawed individual. As Babbitt grapples with the disquieting realization that his life lacks true purpose and meaning, readers are invited to join him on an introspective journey. Lewis deftly navigates the intricacies of Babbitt's internal struggle, creating a protagonist whose vulnerabilities resonate universally.

Moreover, "Babbitt" transcends its temporal setting, its relevance echoing through the corridors of time. Lewis's astute observations on the perils of conformity, the seduction of materialism, and the quest for individual identity resonate with astonishing clarity in contemporary society. The novel serves as a mirror reflecting the perennial tension between societal expectations and the innate human desire for authenticity and self-determination.
Lewis's prose is a tapestry woven with a myriad of emotions—humor, satire, and an undercurrent of melancholy. His vivid descriptions bring Zenith to life, a city pulsating with the rhythm of progress and change, mirroring the zeitgeist of the Roaring Twenties. Through Babbitt's encounters with a colorful array of characters, Lewis paints a rich tableau of American life, exploring the collision of tradition and modernity with remarkable finesse.
As Babbitt's journey unfolds, readers are confronted with profound questions about the nature of happiness, the price of conformity, and the perennial quest for authenticity. Lewis, a literary maestro, orchestrates this narrative symphony with precision, crafting a timeless masterpiece that transcends its era and speaks to the very heart of the human experience.

In the grand tapestry of American literature, "Babbitt" stands as a testament to Sinclair Lewis's unparalleled ability to dissect the intricacies of the human soul and societal structures. It is a magnum opus that invites readers to ponder the timeless dilemmas faced by individuals in their pursuit of the elusive American Dream. Imbued with insight, wit, and a profound understanding of the human condition, "Babbitt" remains an enduring beacon, beckoning readers to explore the labyrinthine corridors of self-discovery and authenticity.

Disponível desde: 07/01/2024.

Outros livros que poderiam interessá-lo

Black Voices on Britain

Hakim Adi

A compelling anthology of Black voices from England, America, Africa and the Caribbean, from people who lived, worked, campaigned and travelled in Britain from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library.Professor Hakim Adi, shortlisted for the Wolfson history prize, draws on a variety of published works in Black Voices on Britain, all of which describe powerful experiences: James Gronniosaw and his family endure poverty, illness and unemployment; Mary Prince is driven out by her cruel owners and turns to London charities for help; Frederick Douglass, on a lecture tour around Britain, reveals how the Christian clergy built churches with slave-owners’ money; and William Wells Brown gives his impressions of England as he travels around a country which welcomes him more readily than America. These and other voices offer a fascinating and thought-provoking portrayal of Black experiences in Britain.

Ver livro

Notes from a Dead House

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky draws on his own imprisonment to depict life in a Siberian labor camp. Through vivid detail and poignant reflection, he explores the harsh realities of incarceration—the brutality, monotony, and small moments of humanity among prisoners. Dostoevsky delves into the psychological and spiritual resilience of individuals stripped of freedom, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and shared suffering. The work transcends memoir, offering a profound meditation on justice, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With compassion and insight, Dostoevsky reveals the capacity for dignity and hope even in the darkest circumstances.

Ver livro

12 Days Of Christmas

Traditional

‘12 Days of Christmas’ as interpreted by Emmy-nominated actor Geoffrey Giuliano is a breath of fresh air for this charming Christmas classic. Here is a holiday single that will delight young and old and rekindle the flame of wonder for the beauty of family Christmases’ gone by. A humorous imaginative rendering by one of today's most celebrated actors ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ promises to become - yet again- a classic part of everyone's holiday.

Ver livro

A Lickpenny Lover - From their...

O Henry

William Sydney Porter was born on 11th September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina. At age 3 his mother died from tuberculosis. From an early age it was clear Porter had a large appetite for reading as he absorbed the world around him.
He first attended at a school run by his aunt before enrolling at the Lindsey Street High School and then worked at his uncle’s drugstore and gained a pharmacists’ license in 1881.
A persistent cough took him to Texas in the hope that a change of climate would help his symptoms. He took on various types of work, initially from ranch hand and cook and then as varied as pharmacist, draftsman, bank teller and journalist. He also began to write, though for now, purely as a hobby.
He was a member of several singing and dramatic groups when he met 17 year old Athol Estes, daughter of a wealthy Austin family. Despite her mother’s objection owing to Athol’s tuberculosis, they began courting and in July 1887, they eloped and soon married.
Athol, impressed by his writing, encouraged him to get them published. A job as a draftsman at the Texas General Land Office paid a healthy $100 dollars per month and life was good.
But then life turned cruel. His son died a few hours after birth although a daughter, Margaret, came the following year. His job had to be vacated but another was found at the First National Bank of Austin. The bank operated informally and Porter was careless in keeping the books. He lost that job but began writing for the humourous weekly The Rolling Stone and the Houston Post. Some time later the federal Bank auditors went through his former accounts and he was arrested on charges of embezzlement.
Porter fled the day before his trial to Honduras. Holed up for several months he began to write. Athol had become too ill to travel to meet him and learning that her health was deteriorating he surrendered to the court in February 1897. Bail was obtained so that he could stay with Athol during her final days.
Porter was sentenced to five years at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus. His pharmacy qualifications got him the job of night druggist. His sentence also gave him time to write and publish fourteen short stories. In December 1899 in McClure’s Magazine he published a short story as O Henry.
He was released two years early in July 1901, and reunited with Margaret, now 11, in Pittsburgh. He now began his most prolific period of writing; a short story per week for the New York World, while also publishing works in other magazines. Eventually over 600 of his short stories were published.
Porter was a heavy drinker and in 1908 his health, which had deteriorated for several years, took a dramatic turn for the worse, as did his writing.
O Henry died of cirrhosis of the liver complicated by diabetes and an enlarged heart on 5th June 1910.

Ver livro

The Last Laugh

D H Lawrence

‘The Last Laugh’ is another of Lawrence's supernatural stories, set in a dreamlike snowy London. The question left open is who the three people in the story saw on the snowy evening. Perhaps Pan, returned to destroy the Christian God, as the church is destroyed in the story and to bring love to the frigid young woman in the form of a policeman who is prevented from leaving the house. But why the other quite harmless, and Platonic lover, had to die is a mystery. Perhaps  because he had made love to a Jewess?

Ver livro

Resurrection - A Powerful Story...

Leo Tolstoy

How does one atone for the sins of the past? 
In Resurrection, Leo Tolstoy presents a harrowing yet deeply moving tale of moral reckoning and spiritual awakening. Prince Dmitri Ivanovich, a wealthy aristocrat, is confronted with the consequences of his youthful indiscretions when he discovers that Katerina Maslova—a woman he once seduced and abandoned—has been unjustly sentenced to Siberian exile. Driven by guilt and a newfound sense of justice, he dedicates himself to her cause, only to find himself entangled in a corrupt legal system and an indifferent society. 
As Dmitri struggles to right his wrongs, his journey exposes the hypocrisy of the elite, the cruelty of the prison system, and the immense power of personal transformation. Tolstoy masterfully weaves a narrative that is both a compelling human drama and a fierce indictment of social inequality. 
What You’ll Discover in This Modern Translation:A Profound Exploration of Justice and Redemption – Witness one man’s attempt to find meaning in a world riddled with injustice.A Powerful Social and Political Critique – Experience Tolstoy’s unflinching condemnation of legal corruption, class oppression, and religious hypocrisy.A Masterpiece in a Fresh, Readable Style – This modern adaptation retains Tolstoy’s philosophical depth while making the novel more engaging for contemporary readers.A Story That Will Challenge and Inspire You – Reflect on themes of guilt, moral responsibility, and the possibility of true change. 
Can redemption ever be enough to heal a broken world? 
Get your copy today and experience one of Tolstoy’s most thought-provoking and powerful literary works.

Ver livro