Scan barcode
maddy_walock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
jcutrone93's review against another edition
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!
imyerhero's review against another edition
2.0
This book is one of those which you keep reading because you want to know what happens at the end but you donโt really have any hope of it turning out any differently than it already is. There was a complete blasting of any leadership position in Christianity in the person of Elmer. He was everything a hypocrite is supposed to be, and on top of that he was obnoxious and fairly disgusting. The book seemed to be the same story over and over again on progressively grander scales โ Elmer has an idea to become more famous, Elmer puts plan into action without considering anyone but himself, Elmer almost gets disgraced, Elmer emerges triumphant and more famous than ever.
wshier's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe it's too easy to send up a charleton minister and religious hypocrisy, but this is such a good job of it. While religious hucksters have been around forever, this book (written in the 20's) manages to both skewer the present form and also fortell of televangelism and and the cynical blending of Old Testament fire and brimstone with politics. As serious as that sounds, I litterally laughed outloud at parts of this book.
"he had learned that poverty is blessed, but that bankers make the best deacons."
"yes, the Maker of a universe with stars a hundred thousand light-years apart was interested, furious, and very personal about it if a small boy played baseball on Sunday afternoon."
"he had learned that poverty is blessed, but that bankers make the best deacons."
"yes, the Maker of a universe with stars a hundred thousand light-years apart was interested, furious, and very personal about it if a small boy played baseball on Sunday afternoon."
sonofthe's review against another edition
4.0
Elmer Gantry tries to be the greatest preacher, with ups and downs and struggles with vice.
I didn't realize what I was getting into when I started this book. This book takes a satirical view of American evangelists of its time and the churches associated with them. Christians were mad when it came out and had it banned in various cities.
The satire made me laugh, and the send-up of various evangelist activities rang true with some of my experiences. Sinclare even makes fun of his own work in the voice of one of the preachers. Good stuff. Makes me want to read more of his books.
I liked the narrator for this audiobook version. I looked Anthony Heald up to find more books read by him. His female voices are a bit goofy, but overall he's better than other narrators I've heard.
I didn't realize what I was getting into when I started this book. This book takes a satirical view of American evangelists of its time and the churches associated with them. Christians were mad when it came out and had it banned in various cities.
The satire made me laugh, and the send-up of various evangelist activities rang true with some of my experiences. Sinclare even makes fun of his own work in the voice of one of the preachers. Good stuff. Makes me want to read more of his books.
I liked the narrator for this audiobook version. I looked Anthony Heald up to find more books read by him. His female voices are a bit goofy, but overall he's better than other narrators I've heard.
bobbo49's review against another edition
5.0
I continue to marvel at the ability of Lewis' work to stand the test of time. This portrait of a power-grasping evangelical preacher who is, at the same time, a self-indulgent hypocrite and serial philanderer, is as trenchant today as when it was written 90 years ago. The myriad Literary and biblical references add to the power of the story, and the writing is crisp and direct. Another highly recommended classic.
astrangerhere's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
It would have been higher had it ended differently.