The Sinclair Lewis Library

In which Elmer Gantry extols the bustling success and cheerful camaraderie of his city church to a local man, even as another minister, Frank Shallard, confides his deep disillusionment with the church's hypocrisies and contradictions in intimate conversation with his friend Philip McGarry. The two preachers engage in a candid and spirited debate over faith, doubt, and the true meaning of Christ’s teachings, revealing the complex, often fraught nature of religious conviction and ministry.

In which the zealous Reverend Gantry, eager to build his new church and bolster its standing, embarks on a public campaign to discredit the more liberal and questioning Pastor Frank Shallard, stirring discord within their shared community of faith. As Frank faces mounting opposition and weary counsel from friends and family, the church membership grapples with doctrinal disputes and loyalties that test the bounds of belief and fellowship in Zenith.

In which the Reverend Gantry embarks upon a fervent crusade against the vices of his town, parading with policemen through dens of iniquity and delivering fervid denunciations that stir both ridicule and awe among witnesses. His exploits culminate in a bruising physical altercation and a triumphant, if somewhat self-absorbed, return home, where admiration is sought but not entirely found.

In which Elmer Gantry rises to local renown by ferreting out vice, securing the admiration of the town’s Rotary Club, and navigating the social rituals of high society with thoughtful ambition. His reputation grows as he embarks on a Chautauqua tour, delivering stirring sermons that artfully sidestep contentious issues, while a humble country parson eagerly anticipates his arrival as a shining beacon of righteousness.

In which the ambitious Reverend Elmer Gantry ingeniously blends lively entertainment and spirited moralising to draw vast crowds and curry favour with the local press, while manoeuvring ecclesiastical and societal figures to bolster his church’s influence and coffers. Amidst this burgeoning prominence, he initiates a crusading committee and a vitriolic campaign against the city’s concealed vices, revealing the uneasy alliances and polite rivalries that define the town’s religious and moral landscape.

In which Elmer Gantry, caught between the buoyant Young Married Set at Wellspring Church and the steady familiarity of old acquaintances, navigates the uneasy balance of charm, temptation, and sermonised morality with the acumen of a practised preacher. In this careful unfolding of social and personal contours, he reconnects with figures from his past, finding both old ties and new contentments amid the shifting shades of his ministerial life.

In which Elmer Gantry and his wife Cleo settle into a modest Old Town house, investing quickly in appearances to mask their ambitions, while Elmer confronts the exhausting demands and complexities of his new Zenith pastorate. He navigates the varied personalities and rivalries among the town’s clergy, formulating grand plans to outshine them all by blending their strengths and stirring up a fervent, attention-grabbing ministry.

In which the ambitious Elmer Gantry reconnects with two former seminary classmates in Zenith, encountering contrasting paths that reflect different spiritual temperaments and social standings. Meanwhile, Frank Shallard wrestles with his ideals and frustrations as a Congregational minister striving to reconcile his faith with the common life and the austere judgments of his peers.

In which a young clergyman named Elmer Gantry rises through ranks of small-town ministries, grappling with domestic discord and stirring the spirits of his growing congregations through fiery sermons and spirited political involvement. His ambitious nature leads him to accept a challenging pastorate in the declining Wellspring Church at Zenith, where hope flickers for revival amidst the changing urban landscape.

In which a newly appointed minister surveys the Wellspring Methodist Church with a keen managerial eye, noting its dilapidated state and the social composition of his congregation, while contemplating lively sermons to invigorate their spirits and enlarge their attendance. Amidst jovial companionship with influential church members, he boldly confronts the town’s moral landscape, stirring public interest and sparking both admiration and scepticism from his peers.

In which Elmer Gantry, a young Methodist minister newly married to Cleo, navigates the complex demands of small-town ministry, social expectation, and his own restless ambitions. Amidst evangelical revivals, familial ties, and the keen politics of a clerical conference, he finds himself poised on the cusp of greater opportunity and recognition.

In which Elmer Gantry settles into a small-town pulpit with a mixture of social charm and theatrical innovation, endeavouring to enliven the sleepy congregation through novel prayer-meeting techniques and literary allusions. Meanwhile, he supplements his theological studies with a curious and somewhat haphazard exploration of literature and philosophy, guided by both earnest ambition and a certain impatience, while cultivating a growing attachment to Cleo Benham.

In which Reverend Elmer Gantry arrives at the modest town of Banjo Crossing, confronting the rustic reality of his new parish and its inhabitants with a blend of ambition and weary self-reflection. He finds a church to cherish, a promising young woman to admire, and a community both humbling and full of quiet possibility, sparking in him renewed resolutions of purpose and virtue.

In which Elmer Gantry arrives at Banjo Crossing to begin his new role as a preacher, meticulously armed with a borrowed theological library and a well-rehearsed sermon, ready to inspire his flock with both solemnity and a touch of theatricality. The narrative gently paints his first Sunday services, capturing the curious blend of earnest devotion and vibrant enthusiasm that stirs the townsfolk and especially sweet Cleo, his companion at the organ.

In which a young theological graduate, Frank Shallard, embarks on his first pastoral duties feeling beset by doubts about the efficacy and sincerity of the ministry, yet finds solace and guidance in the steady presence of the gentle and mystic Methodist Reverend Pengilly. As Frank wrestles with his conscience and the skepticism of working-class townsfolk, he is drawn into a circle of liberal thinkers and encounters the brash confidence of Elmer Gantry, setting him on a wavering path between faith and self-doubt.

In which the ambitious and well-dressed Reverend Elmer Gantry, fatigued by his precarious ventures in New Thought prosperity lectures, encounters Bishop Wesley R. Toomis, whose worldly yet devout character and inviting home embody a compelling contrast to Elmer’s restless aspirations. Their cordial discussions open the prospect of Elmer’s entry into the Methodist Church, promising a new kind of religious vocation that balances piety with pragmatic opportunity, while Elmer wrestles with the humble beginnings such a path entails.

In which a charismatic evangelist’s accidental gift for healing draws crowds and finance, prompting grandiose plans for a seaside tabernacle and crusade, while tensions and affections entwine quietly behind the scenes. The stage is set for a dramatic opening filled with fervour, music, and an ominous fire that tests faith and reveals the fragile nature of human endeavour.

In which Mrs. Evans Riddle presides over a thriving New Thought centre, blending mysticism and self-help with a sharp eye for profit, while the Reverend Elmer Gantry flounders in his evangelical career and tentatively steps into her curious realm of spiritual commerce. Battling loneliness and financial hardship, Gantry experiments with his own Prosperity Classes, navigating the curious intersections of faith, ambition, and human folly with a restless, somewhat rueful spirit.

In which Elmer Gantry and Sharon Falconer navigate the complexities and contradictions of life on the evangelistic road, balancing devotion and ambition amid the lively, sometimes chaotic company of their troupe. Their conversations with fellow preachers, disputes over methods, and spirited plans reveal a world of earnest faith tempered by the practicalities and peccadilloes of their calling.

In which we witness Elmer Gantry’s bustling apprenticeship to the charismatic evangelist Sharon Falconer, as they pioneer the grand and theatrical revival meetings that stretch across towns and cities, weaving sermons and spectacles with the intricacies of committee politics and skilful fundraising. Amid the whirlwind of passionate oratory, strategic manoeuvres, and the assembly of an impulsive yet devoted troupe, the reader is given a vivid glimpse into the machinery behind the fervour and pageantry of evangelical crusades.

In which a scholarly and restless cleric named Cecil Aylston journeys through various religious affiliations and wanderings before becoming the devoted yet imposing first assistant to the fervent evangelist Sharon Falconer. Meanwhile, Elmer Gantry arrives in Lincoln to join Sharon's campaign, where he first contends with the different preaching styles of Cecil and then delivers a stirring speech that sways the hearts of business men, all under the watchful, enigmatic presence of Sharon herself.

In which a revivalist named Sharon Falconer and a newly converted salesman, Elmer Gantry, share moments of intimacy and reflection amid the faded grandeur of a Virginian estate, where illusions of heritage and destiny mingle with earnest confessions and spiritual seeking. Their uneasy yet tender companionship unfolds through candid talk, playful rivalry, and a peculiar chapel filled with exotic idols, revealing the complex dance of faith and ambition beneath their outward devotion.

In which a charming but restless young salesman named Elmer Gantry, haunted by his past as a seminarian and preacher, drifts through the evangelical heartland, captivated by the fiery magnetism of the striking woman evangelist Sharon Falconer and his own ambition to reclaim his pulpit power. Amidst the humble church tents and provincial towns, Elmer plots a dazzling re-entrance into the ministry, blending zeal with a keen eye for opportunity and a dash of theatrical flamboyance.

In which Elmer Gantry departs the stifling familiarity of Babylon and tumbles headlong into the raucous life of Monarch, where he mingles with lively salesmen and contends with his own temptations and ambitions. In a swirl of camaraderie and farce, his clerical aspirations falter, leaving him to reconsider his path amid the boisterous hum of a modern city’s vices and virtues.

In which Elmer Gantry’s fire and zeal meet the complicated realities of young love and small-town expectations, setting aflame passions and suspicions alike amid the piety of Schoenheim. Amidst hand-cars and hushes, misunderstandings and solemn threats, love’s tender entanglements take on a more troublesome hue under watchful eyes and unforgiving standards.

In which the seminary days drag tediously for Elmer Gantry, who perfects his oratory under a professor of literature while disdainfully dismissing scholarly theological pursuits and enduring the grim tutelage of the inscrutable Dr. Zechlin. Meanwhile, the earnest and thoughtful Frank Shallard wrestles with doubts and the complex realities of faith under Zechlin’s cautious mentorship, nurturing a quiet resolve to reform the church from within despite their starkly contrasting temperaments and attitudes.

In which Elmer Gantry and Frank Shallard arrive at the Bains farm for Thanksgiving, where tensions simmer over Suspicions of impropriety and debated virtues amid a convivial church supper. Elmer, caught between desire and ambition, navigates the delicate balance of charm and caution as he courts Lulu Bains amidst the earnest piety and gentle scrutiny of her family and neighbours.

In which a young, ambitious preacher named Elmer Gantry is sent to serve a small rural church, where he sets about winning over the congregation with his earnest sermons and effusive charm, while also finding himself captivated by a local girl named Lulu. As he navigates his first pastoral duties with a mingling of zeal and youthful awkwardness, he seeks both to inspire his flock and to gently woo the innocent and devoted Lulu.

In which a group of aspiring Baptist clergymen, diverse in temperament and ambition, congregate in a modest seminary dormitory to spar over theology, church doctrine, and the practicalities of preaching life. Among them, the solitary Elmer Gantry wrestles with his restless spirit and aching loneliness, caught between youthful bravado and a yearning for connection.

In which the earnest young Elmer Gantry returns to his Kansas hometown draped in newfound clerical dignity, preparing to enter the Baptist ministry with a voice both commanding and polished, amidst the dusty congregation of humble farmers and neighbours. With a mix of solemn ceremony and rustic charm, the ordination unfolds under cottonwood shade, revealing the quaint customs and earnest hopes of a devout rural community embracing their freshly consecrated preacher.

In which Elmer Gantry is gently nudged by various figures—from college presidents to family—to consider the ministry as a path to social prestige and personal influence, though he grapples with the elusive spiritual "Call" that is said to legitimise such a vocation. Meanwhile, the surrounding voices of faculty, friends, and ageing clergy muse pensively on the value and burdens of ministry in a changing world, revealing the quiet tensions beneath their devout façades.

In which a large, robust young man wrestles with the weighty task of delivering a public address on divine love, borrowing from unexpected sources and the Bible amid the watchful eyes of a devout college community. The episode captures the mingled curiosity, scepticism, and solemn hope of those around him, set against the backdrop of earnest religious fervour and youthful ambition.

In which Elmer Gantry, accompanied by his devoted mother, attends a fervent evangelical meeting where the impassioned oratory and heartfelt hymns sweep him into a spontaneous public conversion before a cheering crowd. Torn between the ecstatic commitment demanded by the gathering and the quiet scepticism of his old friend Jim Lefferts, Elmer wrestles privately with doubt and the uneasy promise of his newfound role.

In which a robust and magnetic young preacher visits a college Y. M. C. A. gathering, stirring admiration and moral wrestling among the students with his hearty approach to faith and manliness. Meanwhile, Elmer Gantry wrestles with the implications of this visit, his own courage, and familial ties as he prepares to witness the fervour of a big meeting.

In which youthful Elmer Gantry, caught betwixt the earnest zeal of collegiate evangelists and the affectionate yet insistent expectations of his devout mother, finds himself surrounded by a fervent, sometimes overwhelming tide of piety that both intrigues and unsettles him. The chapter unfolds with a blend of religious earnestness, human foibles, and the quaint rituals of prairie church life, painting a picture of a young man’s familiar but fraught dance with faith and doubt.

In which the burly and boisterous Elmer Gantry, famed football captain and a man of loud voice and swelling ambition, alternates between restless college life and evenings spent in smoky saloons with his steadfast companion Jim Lefferts, juggling intellectual scepticism and raw emotion. The pair’s escapades lead them beyond the sedate, pious routines of Terwillinger College into the rough-and-tumble, spirited exchanges of small-town street meetings and the tangled affections of girls in nearby Cato.

In which Dr. Arrowsmith, feeling bereft without his friend Terry, confronts the discomforts of high society and the estrangement from an old companion whose crude commercial schemes clash with his scientific ideals, while his wife Joyce endeavours to bridge the chasm with thoughtful gestures and a new home laboratory. Yet amid the tensions of friendship lost and domestic unease, Martin clings to the hope of renewal through his work, resolved to reunite with Terry and reclaim the devotion to science that sustains him.

In which Martin Arrowsmith faces an offer to direct the McGurk Institute, confronting the clash between scientific purity and administrative ambition amidst the persistent urgings of his social circle and his wife. Choosing freedom and the simplicity of his work with Terry Wickett in a rustic laboratory, Martin embarks on a rugged yet passionate quest for discovery, even as personal relationships strain and the wider world of culture and science marches inexorably onward.

In which Martin Arrowsmith navigates the uneasy terrain of scientific ambition and societal expectation, balancing newfound wealth and status with the pressures of institutional demands and personal loyalties. Amidst challenges to his research and a stirring partnership with Terry Wickett, he faces the complexities of career, friendship, and impending family life with a blend of defiance and domestic restraint.

In which Martin Arrowsmith returns to New York and tentatively reintegrates into society through visits with Joyce Lanyon, whose wealthy but stifling world both fascinates and unsettles him. Their courtship, marked by awkward adaptations to genteel leisure and unspoken tensions between science and society, leads to marriage and a European journey that deepens their understanding of each other against the backdrop of a changing postwar world.