Reading 1001 discussion

If Homer Simpson has a literatary character predecesor, it must be George Babbitt.
Babbitt is a second most famous book of a Nobel winner Sinclair Lewis.
Its main character George Babbitt is a middle aged real estate agent from Zenith. The focus of the novel is on his personal life, his family, professional and political ambitions. Therefore, it is a satire on the whole American society in between World Wars.
I very much enjoyed listening to the Librivox recording of the Babbitt, which contributed to rate it with 5 stars. If you enjoy audio books, don't miss this perfect recording by John W. Michaels.

Jolly satire of 1920s consumerism and Middle America bourgeois values. George F. Babbitt is a real estate businessman with a modern house and car, a member of Zenith’s social clubs and Chamber of Commerce, and the model of a successful man. Then he begins to feel dissatisfied and restless, and embarks on a journey of self discovery.

I really enjoyed this satire of consumerism and social complacency which has a timeless relevance - my favourite episode was that of two dinner parties where Babbitt’s unsuccessful attempt to entertain a social superior at one party is mirrored in his dismissive attitude to an inferior at the next. The ineffective enforcement of Prohibition and Babbitt’s clumsy attempts at flirtation were also memorable moments of satire.

For me the social satire and the political background were more compelling than the musings on the nature of personal fulfilment, but I did enjoy the dynamics between the characters and the ending is heartwarming and thoughtful.