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Fixed on Fiction

It Can't Happen Here

In July, Fixed on Fiction met to discuss It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.

The only one of Sinclair Lewis's later novels to match the power of Main Street, Babbitt, and Arrowsmith, It Can't Happen Here is a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America. Written during the Great Depression when America 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, rampant promiscuity, crime, and a liberal press. Now finally back in print, It Can't Happen Here remains uniquely important, a shockingly prescient novel that's as fresh and contemporary as today's news.

-Summary courtesy of Goodreads.

Here are some of the comments readers made while discussing their reaction to this month’s selection:

  • Thumbs up. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, although I suppose Lewis was setting things up for us. Given the history, I understand Lewis was in a hurry to get this book published. Quite a brilliant book because it was so unbelievable to me…but it’s very important reading now.
  • This is a very timely book that was written 80 years ago. I came to discuss it because I’m concerned about the domestic political situation.
  • There wasn’t enough character development for me to really enjoy the novel. Lewis put more stock in social issues instead of character. *FoF members then discussed how much Babbitt, which had lots of character development, was a very different read than It Can’t Happen Here.
  • I think this is a great example of how humans really don’t change and history repeats itself.
  • Doremus- I like that kind of character. He sees things with a higher level of consciousness and has the ability to reflect on what he sees.

These are simply some of the highlights from our discussion. Feel free to leave additional thoughts on It Can’t Happen Here in the comments section below

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