Sunday, September 18, 2016

Thoughts from BABBITT

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"You," said Dr. Yavitch,"are a middle-road liberal, and you haven't the slightest idea what you want. I, being a revolutionist, know exactly what I want -- and what I want is a drink"


I first encountered Sinclair Lewis's BABBITT on my grandparents' bookshelves over sixty years ago. It's a look at  America in the Twenties and, alas, almost a century later, not a lot has changed. It's still an enjoyable read.

 

"He had never ridden in a motor car, never seen a bathtub, never read any book save the Bible, McGuffey's readers, and religious tracts; and he believed that the earth is flat, that the English are the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, and that the United States is a democracy."


"With his broad shoulders and vigorous voice, he was obviously a Good Fellow; and, rarest of all, he really liked people. He almost liked the common workmen. He wanted them to be well paid, and able to afford high rents -- though, naturally, they must not interfere with the profits of stockholders."


7 comments:

Ms. A said...

Those are gorgeous photos, Vicki!

Martin said...

As the man said, the day after swallowing a £1 coin, no change.

Vicki Lane said...

John took the photos of the sunrise while I was still asleep.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

These WERE lovely photos. I have never read Babbitt, but your post makes me want to.

Frances said...

Spot on, Vicki!

The photographs are grand, too. xo

Jime said...

Really like the shadow play photo. If I read Babbit it would have been 60 years ago and I dont remember it.

Vicki Lane said...

BABBITT was published in 1922 and it's still terrifyingly relevant. It's also quite funny and a little bittersweet.