In 'It Can't Happen Here,' Sinclair Lewis presents a chilling vision of a dystopian America where fear and authoritarianism take over. Follow the story of Doremus Jessup, a liberal newspaper editor, as he battles against the rise of a dictator who undermines democracy and freedom. The novel explores themes of complacency, the fragility of civil liberties, and the perils of inaction in the face of tyranny. With its sharp commentary and eerie relevance to contemporary issues, this tale prompts readers to question their own society's stability. Will you recognize the warning signs before it's too late?
By Sinclair Lewis
Published: 2014
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
“The novel that foreshadowed Donald Trump’s authoritarian appeal.”—Salon It Can’t Happen Here is the only one of Sinclair Lewis’s later novels to match the power of Main Street, Babbitt, and Arrowsmith. A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, it is an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America. Written during the Great Depression, when the country was largely oblivious to Hitler’s aggression, it juxtaposes sharp political satire with the chillingly realistic rise of a president who becomes a dictator to save the nation from welfare cheats, sex, crime, and a liberal press. Called “a message to thinking Americans” by the Springfield Republican when it was published in 1935, It Can’t Happen Here is a shockingly prescient novel that remains as fresh and contemporary as today’s news. With an Introduction by Michael Meyer and an Afterword by Gary Scharnhorst
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”
It Can't Happen Here
By Sinclair Lewis
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) was an American novelist, playwright, and social critic, renowned for his incisive critique of American society. He was the first American to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1930, celebrated for his powerful narratives and innovative use of satire. Notable works include "Main Street" (1920), which critiques small-town America; "Babbitt" (1922), a satire on middle-class conformity; and "It Can't Happen Here" (1935), a dystopian novel about the rise of fascism in the U.S. Lewis's writing style is characterized by keen observations, humorous prose, and a commitment to highlighting social injustice, making him a pivotal figure in American literature.
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