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jeriwho's review
5.0
This book is an astonishing read of modern Christian Fundamentalism. Just replace the trains with planes, and you will have a survey of the universe of John R Rice, SWORD OF THE LORD, Bob Jones University, Liberty, etc. Lewis did remark at several points that he had visited J Frank Norris' church to comprehend the preaching and thinking of the man. And Gantry in many ways reflects Norris (as well as Billy Sunday), particularly the sections on his ability to control large crowds and his methods of rising to prominence.
The book falls roughly into three sections
1. Elmer in seminary and Baptist Fundamentalism
2. Elmer among the Holiness/pentacostals/charismatics (actually Four Square Gospel and Aimee Semple McPherson)
3. Elmer as Prohibitionist and social reformer
The characters are vivid, and Lewis paints the backdrop of time and place with careful detail. No wonder this book translated so well to film. Modern readers will easily comprehend the times in which the story takes place. On the down side, I have read reviews by current Young Fundamentalists who find the narrative too detailed and therefore tedious.
The novel shows the womanizing, scheming, and profit taking of Fundamentalism's early days. Sadly, things have only gotten worse, as child molesting is now extremely common in these churches. But the book is beneficial because it was written ~1926, and it depicts widespread corruption. So the idea that there ever was a "good old days" in Fundamentalism in which corruption was rare is bogus.
I would recommend this book for Fundamentalists and former Fundamentalists. It will show you that Christian Fundamentalism has always been what it is now: corrupt, predatory, and hysterical. The one caveat is that Lewis, in his cynicism, depicts all morally good people or groups as effete, torpid, with no inner sense of guidance, and unable to come to grips with the corruption that runs society and religion.
The book falls roughly into three sections
1. Elmer in seminary and Baptist Fundamentalism
2. Elmer among the Holiness/pentacostals/charismatics (actually Four Square Gospel and Aimee Semple McPherson)
3. Elmer as Prohibitionist and social reformer
The characters are vivid, and Lewis paints the backdrop of time and place with careful detail. No wonder this book translated so well to film. Modern readers will easily comprehend the times in which the story takes place. On the down side, I have read reviews by current Young Fundamentalists who find the narrative too detailed and therefore tedious.
The novel shows the womanizing, scheming, and profit taking of Fundamentalism's early days. Sadly, things have only gotten worse, as child molesting is now extremely common in these churches. But the book is beneficial because it was written ~1926, and it depicts widespread corruption. So the idea that there ever was a "good old days" in Fundamentalism in which corruption was rare is bogus.
I would recommend this book for Fundamentalists and former Fundamentalists. It will show you that Christian Fundamentalism has always been what it is now: corrupt, predatory, and hysterical. The one caveat is that Lewis, in his cynicism, depicts all morally good people or groups as effete, torpid, with no inner sense of guidance, and unable to come to grips with the corruption that runs society and religion.
dabersh's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
0.5
I'm not sure who likes the sound of their own voice more, Elmer Gantry or Sinclair Lewis.
angelikareadsavariciously's review against another edition
3.0
The hypocrisy of the characters was quite funny at times, but it's not something I would ever want to read again.
leighe's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
beautiful_haiku's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
Last week I saw a commercial featuring a evangelist promising to send some "sacred water" to anyone who called the number flashing on the screen. Then when a donation was received, God would begin to send blessings enough to overwhelm any individual. I immediately thought about this book and made a trip to the local public library the next morning to pick up a copy. Some things never change.
maddy_walock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
jcutrone93's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
k5tog's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Sinclair Lewis novel... As an expose of an evangelist, this novel meets its goal, but I would have liked to see Elmer get his comeuppance at the end. And you think it's going to happen, but then for some reason, Lewis saves Elmer. Sigh!