Why people recommend it
It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis is a 1935 political satire novel exploring the rise of fascism and authoritarianism in the United States. The book has frequently surfaced in podcast discussions regarding classic dystopian literature and modern politics. On The Book Review, Alexandra Alter highlighted a notable surge in sales and interest for the novel, placing it alongside other dystopian staples like George Orwell's 1984 and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Jennifer Szalai also spoke on The Book Review about a recent critical essay examining Lewis's political narrative, while Bob Gottlieb listed it among the author's most enduring and widely read novels alongside Main Street and Babbitt. Additionally, Ryan Holiday mentioned on The Daily Stoic that reading Sinclair Lewis's chilling satirical work provided him with a valuable framework for understanding the political phenomena surrounding Donald Trump. Across these different shows, speakers continually returned to the novel as a vital piece of political commentary that maintains its urgent relevance decades after its initial publication.
Who recommended it
- Alexandra Alter Discussed
- Jennifer Szalai Discussed
- Bob Gottlieb Discussed
- Ryan Holiday Discussed
Alexandra Alter — 3 mentions
“another book that has picked up in sales is it can't happen here by Sinclair Lewis”
“there's a sort of political satire by Sinclair Lewis it can't happen here which is selling incredibly well and has been reprinted so it's interesting to see that”
“there was a period where the bestseller list was dominated by Margaret Atwoods the handmaid's tale George Orwell's 1984 and even stclair Lewis's novel it can't happen here”
Jennifer Szalai — 1 mention
“and I read this essay by Gerald early that was published very recently about specifically the novel it can't happen here by Sinclair Lewis which was published in 1935”
Bob Gottlieb — 1 mention
“but when you think about the books that are still read today babbit Main Street Aros Smith Elmer Gantry it can't happen here dodsworth”
Ryan Holiday — 1 mention
“the best way I understood Trump was uh Sinclair Lewis's uh it can't happen here”