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The Innocents: A Story For Lovers
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1917
15 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair Lewis
501 books1,114 followersNovelist Harry Sinclair Lewis satirized middle-class America in his 22 works, including
Babbitt
(1922) and
Elmer Gantry
(1927) and first received a Nobel Prize for literature in 1930.
Middle-class values and materialism attach unthinking George F. Babbitt, the narrow-minded, self-satisfied main character person in the novel of Sinclair Lewis.
People awarded "his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of characters."
He knowingly, insightfully, and critically viewed capitalism and materialism between the wars. People respect his strong characterizations of modern women.
Henry Louis Mencken wrote, "[If] there was ever a novelist among us with an authentic call to the trade...it is this red-haired tornado from the Minnesota wilds."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclai...
Middle-class values and materialism attach unthinking George F. Babbitt, the narrow-minded, self-satisfied main character person in the novel of Sinclair Lewis.
People awarded "his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of characters."
He knowingly, insightfully, and critically viewed capitalism and materialism between the wars. People respect his strong characterizations of modern women.
Henry Louis Mencken wrote, "[If] there was ever a novelist among us with an authentic call to the trade...it is this red-haired tornado from the Minnesota wilds."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclai...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 1, 2020
This was quite funny in places.
March 17, 2016
An elderly, modest New York couple, 'young-hearted old lovers, Mr. and Mrs. Seth Appleby', decide on a whim to risk their life savings on opening a roadside cafe in seaside New England.
It doesn't work out, but that's just the start of their misfortune.
The Innocents (subtitled 'A Story of Lovers') features an unlikely romantic pair of sexagenarian Johnny Appleseeds in a sweet story awash with obvious pathos, artfully offset by the gently ironic air of the author, Sinclair Lewis.
I had been meaning to read something by America's first recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature for some time and finally got round to it. I can tell this is a minor work, but the knowing narration still feels streets ahead of most novels from the time.
Mostly Lewis just tells the story, but it's clear he's having fun with it to, which he occasionally underlines:
'Most people do not know why they do things—not even you and I invariably know, though of course we are superior to the unresponsive masses.'
I will certainly make sure I read one of his more ambitious novels before too long (Babbitt? Elmer Gantry?). I liked the sly yet never malicious tone of humor. Here's an example:
'When Miss Mitchin resolved to come to Grimsby Center her group of writers, who had protected themselves against the rude, crude world of business men and lawyers by living together in Chelsea Village, were left defenseless. They were in danger of becoming human. So they all followed Miss Mitchin to Grimsby, and contentedly went on writing about one another.'
It doesn't work out, but that's just the start of their misfortune.
The Innocents (subtitled 'A Story of Lovers') features an unlikely romantic pair of sexagenarian Johnny Appleseeds in a sweet story awash with obvious pathos, artfully offset by the gently ironic air of the author, Sinclair Lewis.
I had been meaning to read something by America's first recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature for some time and finally got round to it. I can tell this is a minor work, but the knowing narration still feels streets ahead of most novels from the time.
Mostly Lewis just tells the story, but it's clear he's having fun with it to, which he occasionally underlines:
'Most people do not know why they do things—not even you and I invariably know, though of course we are superior to the unresponsive masses.'
I will certainly make sure I read one of his more ambitious novels before too long (Babbitt? Elmer Gantry?). I liked the sly yet never malicious tone of humor. Here's an example:
'When Miss Mitchin resolved to come to Grimsby Center her group of writers, who had protected themselves against the rude, crude world of business men and lawyers by living together in Chelsea Village, were left defenseless. They were in danger of becoming human. So they all followed Miss Mitchin to Grimsby, and contentedly went on writing about one another.'
December 21, 2019
A couple prefers independence to old people’s home. Includes some fun satirical digs at arty bohemians, twee hipsters, and others.
September 12, 2013
Sinclair Lewis is prescient in this book, correctly describing a tea shop with mismatched furniture and dishes like so many modern coffeeshops today. Plus he used the term "hobohemian" to describe a group of artiste poseurs a/k/a hipsters of the early 20th century. Lewis' writing consistently impresses me.
December 28, 2017
A novel from 1917... 100 years old - right. Yet it still pulls the heart strings and has many themes directly applicable to today.
An older couple - 'Father and Mother' - decide to have a go at autocratic private enterprise... they open a Tea House at Cape Cod. Father leaves his incredibly boring (but secure) New York job as a shoe salesman for this dash to freedom an financial security.
Well, it all goes bust. They are ruined and in 1917 there is no social security to fall back on... no old age pension. Their meddling daughter involves herself and removes any trace independence they had lefty - she even talks of 'Nursing Homes' - so they escape.
Their adventures go on from their as the "Appleby pedestrians". Scenes involve Ho-Bo's and the dregs of life, but their spirit survives all. I won't tell all the story, but it left me heart warm.
I love finding a gem in the rough, but I suppose I should have expected it with the author being Sinclair Lewis. I admit my Australian education said nothing of the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Innocents is considered one of his minor works, If this is true, I look forward to his more renown efforts such as Main Street and Babbitt.
Great read...
An older couple - 'Father and Mother' - decide to have a go at autocratic private enterprise... they open a Tea House at Cape Cod. Father leaves his incredibly boring (but secure) New York job as a shoe salesman for this dash to freedom an financial security.
Well, it all goes bust. They are ruined and in 1917 there is no social security to fall back on... no old age pension. Their meddling daughter involves herself and removes any trace independence they had lefty - she even talks of 'Nursing Homes' - so they escape.
Their adventures go on from their as the "Appleby pedestrians". Scenes involve Ho-Bo's and the dregs of life, but their spirit survives all. I won't tell all the story, but it left me heart warm.
I love finding a gem in the rough, but I suppose I should have expected it with the author being Sinclair Lewis. I admit my Australian education said nothing of the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Innocents is considered one of his minor works, If this is true, I look forward to his more renown efforts such as Main Street and Babbitt.
Great read...
February 1, 2019
I wish Sinclair Lewis had written The Grapes of Wrath. The Joads would have found work with a guy who owned a carnival or something, who was passing through California's orchard country just at the right time. Who doesn't like a cheerful ending?
June 16, 2018
What a nice little story of two lovers. Reminds me of my wife and me.
February 6, 2020
Ahhh, what a satisfactory story! It takes you through all levels of financial stability, but the love and care that the couple have for each other is constant. I loved it!
July 19, 2024
История про двух любящих друг друга стариков, которые пошли на авантюру: бросить бизнес и открыть свою кофейню на мысе с красивейшим видом. Но вот беда: они ничего не смыслили в ресторанном/кофейном бизнесе.
Милая, трогательная история, эдакий Оруэлл с его странниками, как мне кажется, но на берегах Америки и в других условиях и мотивации («Дочь священника», например).
Верьте в себя, будьте собой, будьте добры к окружающим. Как этого не достает в современном мире, спустя 120 лет с момента написания повести…
Милая, трогательная история, эдакий Оруэлл с его странниками, как мне кажется, но на берегах Америки и в других условиях и мотивации («Дочь священника», например).
Верьте в себя, будьте собой, будьте добры к окружающим. Как этого не достает в современном мире, спустя 120 лет с момента написания повести…
February 19, 2023
Very Satisfying
You may ask yourself, as I did, how can a story about two old people who call themselves Mother and Father be anything but boring and depressing? Well like me you would be wrong. This book is funny, sad, heart-warming and full of surprises. Also thought-provoking on different levels, one of which is ageism and how these two babes in the woods fight against and win. Kudos to the author for recognizing this prejudice and challenging it.
You may ask yourself, as I did, how can a story about two old people who call themselves Mother and Father be anything but boring and depressing? Well like me you would be wrong. This book is funny, sad, heart-warming and full of surprises. Also thought-provoking on different levels, one of which is ageism and how these two babes in the woods fight against and win. Kudos to the author for recognizing this prejudice and challenging it.
August 11, 2025
Okay, this was NOT what I expected. I mean, I wasn’t expecting anything other than a sweet love story from 1917. It doglegged left and then pivoted right, but landed well. This is an afternoon read of about 180 pages. Worth a grab if you’re trying to get more read from that time period. It did make me want to grab his Nobel award winning book.
January 26, 2022
What a surprising ending. What a surprising journey. What a delightful story. This is a good example for those who fall into ruts and routines they think they are incapable of getting out of. Of course, most will stay in their ruts because it is the easiest thing to do.
September 28, 2020
I love Sinclair Lewis in general, but I just did not enjoy this one very much. The main characters seemed a little too angelic.
January 23, 2022
An elderly couple takes a long walk on the wild side for a while. Then they find their home.
October 9, 2024
Entertaining, but a bit implausible.
January 10, 2025
3.75 stars
A 1917 novella about a New York couple whose lives change when they open a Cape Cod tearoom.
A 1917 novella about a New York couple whose lives change when they open a Cape Cod tearoom.
May 19, 2025
So delicately woven, strong characters, brought me to tears when they face extreme adversities. Reading of our protagonists renewed my faith in such simple hearted innate strength.
June 29, 2025
Early novel by Lewis introducing many themes that would be developed further in his future work.
July 28, 2011
One of Lewis' lesser known works (and a freebie for Kindle), I enjoyed this novella. The story is a bit uneven in places, but the sentiments are real. It's not earth-shattering but it's pleasant and comfortable - a good story.
February 20, 2016
This is a delightful little story. It's easy to root for the Applebys as they move from cogs in a wheel to hobos to pillars of the community. Their daughter Lulu and her husband can jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned.
June 18, 2016
Who else would come up with "hobohemian" and "orgy of cribbage"? As usual with Lewis, I loved the language but was disapointed with the quaint happy ending.
November 11, 2021
Typical Lewis themes without speeches.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews