Amazon briefly describes this novel: “It is 1936. America has just elected Berzelius Windrip to the presidency-and his fascist policies turn the U.S. into a totalitarian state.”
Our reading group member selected it for February. Normally it’s not my preference in reading material, however the purpose of our reading group is to read a variety of books beyond what we normally choose. I’m finding it fascinating.
Wikipedia states: “It Can’t Happen Here is a semi-satirical 1935 political novel by American author Sinclair Lewis Published during the rise of fascism in Europe, the novel describes the rise of Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip, a politician who defeats Franklin Delano Roosevelt and is elected President of the United States, after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and “traditional” values.”
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Julaina Kleist-Corwin
Editor of Written Across the Genres
Author of Hada’s Fog
It’s riveting, but I can only take so much at a time, if that makes sense. And I can’t wait to find out what happens. It’s so uncannily real.
I know what you mean about short doses. And, each short dose is crystal clear when I think about it before I read the next dose.
Eerie and prophetic? My favorite line in the book and I’ll paraphrase because I can’t remember it exactly: “No, it isn’t Buzz (Berzelius Windrip), it’s the sickness that made us throw him up that is the problem.”
Great quote, Julie, and true in the situation we are in today too, like a cat with a fur ball.
The country elected Nixon, and never learned from its mistake. A person without ethics will never make a good leader.
Well-said, Lani.