Review of Elmer Gantry (1960) by Daniel P — 20 May 2008
I've only read one Sinclair Lewis novel: Babbitt. But based on Babbitt and the movie of Elmer Gantry, Lewis has genuine, albeit condescending, empathy for his middle American protagonists, simultaneously forced into and enforcing the hypocritical moral standards of the day. Burt Lancaster may believe nothing of what he's preaching, but he's no worse than anyone else.
In a wonderful bit of self-reference, one of Zenith's "guardians of morality" is George Babbitt, who decries the influence of liberal atheist authors like...Sinclair Lewis. Anyone know if that was in the book too?
This review of Elmer Gantry (1960) was written by Daniel P on 20 May 2008.
Elmer Gantry has generally received very positive reviews.
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