Babbitt

Babbitt cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Technical
  • ID: 10450
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9786558946564
  • Publisher: Lebooks Editora
  • Published: 2024-10-22
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Babbitt is a satirical novel by Sinclair Lewis that delves into the life of George F. Babbitt, a middle-class real estate agent in the fictional city of Zenith. Through Babbitt's story, Lewis critiques the conformity, materialism, and moral emptiness of American culture during the early 20th century. The novel portrays Babbitt as a man trapped in a predictable and superficial routine, forced to confront his own dissatisfaction and the social pressures that surround him./n/nThe work exposes the hypocrisy of the American Dream, showing how social expectations crush individuality and promote a life focused on material success, leaving no room for authenticity or personal growth. Since its publication, Babbitt has been praised for its sharp social observation and its critiques of consumerism and cultural uniformity. The novel not only reflects the issues of its time but also remains relevant in today's discussions on identity, conformity, and the struggles of individuals against societal norms.

Reviews
Think About Reading · 2023-09-02
thought-provoking 3.50

The novel is a challenging satire on the American Dream, portraying an average man's struggles and aspirations. It offers a critical look at societal norms and personal growth.

This review highlights the novel's challenging nature, particularly in its satire of the American Dream. The protagonist's journey is seen as a reflection of broader societal issues, making it a thought-provoking read. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the satire but finds the portrayal of the average man's struggles both compelling and challenging. The novel's exploration of societal norms and personal growth is noted as particularly insightful.


Quick quotes

    The novel is a satire on the American Dream before the phrase was coined.

    Its portrayal of an average man who strives...

    I found it challenging.

Great Books Guy · 2021-04-18
insightful 3.75

The novel is seen as a satire of middle-class complacency, with the protagonist being a romantic hero albeit a clumsy and foolish figure. It offers a critique of materialism and societal expectations.

This review positions the novel as a satire of middle-class complacency, highlighting the protagonist's clumsy and foolish nature as a romantic hero. The critique of materialism and societal expectations is noted as particularly relevant. The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of these themes, finding it both insightful and critical. The novel's portrayal of the drab world of material middle-class life is seen as a significant contribution to its satirical commentary.


Quick quotes

    As with most Sinclair Lewis novels, Babbitt is a romantic hero albeit a clumsy and foolish figure.

    He lives in a drab world of material middle-...

    It offers a critique of materialism and societal expectations.

The Guardian · Robert McCrum · 2014-08-11
appreciative 4.00

The novel is praised for its vivid satire and larger-than-life characters, despite its lack of structure and narrative guile. It introduces the term 'Babbittry', denoting a certain type of conformist behavior.

Robert McCrum appreciates the novel's vivid satire and the introduction of the term 'Babbittry', which he finds particularly noteworthy. He acknowledges that the novel may lack structure and narrative guile but is rich in larger-than-life characters. The review suggests that the novel's strengths lie in its satirical portrayal of conformist behavior and its enduring relevance. McCrum's analysis highlights the novel's ability to capture the essence of societal norms and the struggles of the average man.


Quick quotes

    Babbitt may be short on structure and narrative guile, but it's full of larger-than-life characters and vivid satire.

    "Babbittry", denoting a certain type of conformist behavior.

    It's a novel that captures the essence of societal norms and the struggles of the average man.