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kelseymurphy53's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
frostap's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. When I've had time to process it, that may go up to four.
hider760's review
challenging
reflective
slow-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
2.0
bro WE GET THE POINT
blueflatfoot's review against another edition
3.0
The book is written in the "slice of life" style of naturalism. Its theme is, "Middle class Americans are unhappy, evasive, self-deceptive, followers who have surrendered youthful idealism for boring unrewarding routine." That said, the style of the writing is intelligent, cleverly revealing and clear. Lewis's presentation of his characters shows an insightful mind at work. He is a talented author. Unfortunately, in the style of naturalism, this story has no plot and no hero.
i_have_no_process's review against another edition
dark
funny
4.75
As relevant and stimulating now as the day it was written.
stephanie30's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
brazzelldazzell's review against another edition
4.0
A timeless look at capitalism and consumerism. Despite being set during the 1920's, Babbit still resonated today. A man who prizes status and goods, preaches about the right way (despite not following it himself) and considers himself a solid citizen, begins to question what he is doing after his close friend shoots his wife.
He spirals, experimenting with liberal ideas and stepping out on his wife. All the while members of his old life, caution, express concern and eventually shun him. Realizing what he's lost he flees back to his comfortable old life.
He spirals, experimenting with liberal ideas and stepping out on his wife. All the while members of his old life, caution, express concern and eventually shun him. Realizing what he's lost he flees back to his comfortable old life.
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this when I was in high school. I absolutely hated George Babbitt. I felt for him the sneering contempt that only a bright but sheltered 16 year old could feel for this jingoistic adherent of conventional wisdom.
Fifty years later, I feel some of the same contempt, but a lot more sympathy. And I see a lot more nuance in his character. I like, for example, that he's fascinated by motor cars, the cutting edge technology of his time. You have the feeling that if he were around in 2018, he'd be the guy with the latest iPhone. How typically American is that?
Of course, there's a lot to dislike about George Babbitt: he's racist and sexist and anti-immigrant and anti-union. He's on the wrong side of just about every social question of his time. And he's on the wrong side because he's fearful and intellectually lazy. These qualities were the ones that most attracted my 16 year old contempt. I would NEVER be like that.
It's telling also, and completely in character, that when Babbitt does rebel, his rebellion is about chiefly about sex, booze, and jazz, with only a little talk (and no action) about leftist politics. My teenage self noticed and excoriated the shallowness of his rebellion.
I'm not going to say that I've done a complete 180 turn in the last 50 years. I still think his politics are all wrong. The utterly unconscious sexism and racism makes this nearly century-old narrative appear to take place on a different planet. But I see two aspects now that I didn't see then:
1
--
Babbitt is terrified of being shunned by his social group. And that is a completely legitimate fear. He could lose his business, his home, his family, his friends, everything. What rational person wouldn't be afraid?
2
--
Babbitt does show just the tiniest measure of independence: he encourages his impulsively married son to follow his 20-something dreams. Yes, this is a cop out, because he's telling his son to do what he himself didn't have the courage to do. But he does place himself in opposition to the rest of his extended family and imply that his dream-pursuing son can expect support from a defeated dad.
It's a tiny, tentative, tenuous piece of rebellion. But it's the best we can expect from Babbitt. Or from most people.
Fifty years later, I feel some of the same contempt, but a lot more sympathy. And I see a lot more nuance in his character. I like, for example, that he's fascinated by motor cars, the cutting edge technology of his time. You have the feeling that if he were around in 2018, he'd be the guy with the latest iPhone. How typically American is that?
Of course, there's a lot to dislike about George Babbitt: he's racist and sexist and anti-immigrant and anti-union. He's on the wrong side of just about every social question of his time. And he's on the wrong side because he's fearful and intellectually lazy. These qualities were the ones that most attracted my 16 year old contempt. I would NEVER be like that.
It's telling also, and completely in character, that when Babbitt does rebel, his rebellion is about chiefly about sex, booze, and jazz, with only a little talk (and no action) about leftist politics. My teenage self noticed and excoriated the shallowness of his rebellion.
I'm not going to say that I've done a complete 180 turn in the last 50 years. I still think his politics are all wrong. The utterly unconscious sexism and racism makes this nearly century-old narrative appear to take place on a different planet. But I see two aspects now that I didn't see then:
1
--
Babbitt is terrified of being shunned by his social group. And that is a completely legitimate fear. He could lose his business, his home, his family, his friends, everything. What rational person wouldn't be afraid?
2
--
Babbitt does show just the tiniest measure of independence: he encourages his impulsively married son to follow his 20-something dreams. Yes, this is a cop out, because he's telling his son to do what he himself didn't have the courage to do. But he does place himself in opposition to the rest of his extended family and imply that his dream-pursuing son can expect support from a defeated dad.
It's a tiny, tentative, tenuous piece of rebellion. But it's the best we can expect from Babbitt. Or from most people.
eclark93's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
1.5
Babbitt is up there with Ignatius O’Reilly as one of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read about.