Production

Read by: William Allan Jones
Book Coordinator: William Allan Jones
Meta Coordinators: Annise
Proof Listener: KHand

Artwork

Cover: Design after first edition cover of Elmer Gantry, 1927
Inset: Sinclair Lewis, photo from his award for Nobel laureate in Literature 1930.

Track Title / Length

1 01 - Ch. 1 56:24

2 02 - Ch. 2 36:33

3 03 - CH. 3 pt.1-2 19:23

4 04 - Ch. 3 pt. 3 26:06

5 05 - Ch. 3 pt. 4-8 27:43

6 06 - Ch. 4 26:28

7 07 - Ch. 5 26:26

8 08 - Ch. 6 35:44

9 09 - Ch. 7 pt. 1-4 28:04

10 10 - Ch. 7 pt. 5-9 32:46

11 11 - Ch. 8 32:41

12 12 - Ch. 9 40:22

13 13 - Ch. 10 27:01

14 14 - Ch. 11 pt. 1-3 55:57

15 15 - Ch. 11 pt. 4-6 22:28

16 16 - Ch. 12 39:54

17 17 - Ch. 13 36:27

18 18 - Ch. 14 26:50

19 19 - Ch. 15 41:39

20 20 - Ch. 16 18:59

21 21 - Ch. 17 39:17

22 22 - Ch. 18 33:15

23 23 - Ch. 19 27:14

24 24 - Ch. 20 pt. 1-6 22:14

25 25 - Ch. 20 pt. 7-12 30:39

26 26 - Ch. 21 35:22

27 27 - Ch. 22 20:43

28 28 - Ch. 23 pt. 1-3 18:49

29 29 - Ch. 23 pt. 4-7 32:07

30 30 - Ch. 24 12:08

31 31 - Ch. 25 21:03

32 32 - Ch. 26 pt. 1-4 33:20

33 33 - Ch. 26 pt. 5-9 13:41

34 34 - Ch. 27 29:29

35 35 - Ch. 28 33:24

36 36 - Ch.29 pt. 1-6 17:42

37 37 - Ch.29 pt. 7-12 28:10

38 38 - Ch. 30 43:08

39 39 - Ch. 31 28:02

40 40 - Ch. 32 14:15

41 41 - Ch. 33 13:07

"Elmer Gantry" explores the life of its charismatic and opportunistic protagonist, Elmer Gantry. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows Gantry's journey from a young and reckless student to a successful but morally compromised evangelist with a magnetic personality and a gift for public speaking. He becomes a preacher, leveraging his captivating oratory skills to attract large congregations and financial contributions. However, behind his charismatic facade lies a complex character driven by ambition, greed, and a penchant for indulgence. Throughout the novel, Gantry's hypocrisy and moral contradictions are evident as he engages in illicit affairs, alcohol consumption, and other vices, while preaching piety and righteousness. The narrative delves into the tensions between religious fervor and the darker aspects of human nature, highlighting the manipulation and corruption that can occur within the realm of organized religion. It is probably the best known critique of religious hypocrisy, institutionalized faith, and the power of charismatic personalities to exploit the vulnerabilities of believers. Lewis' exploration of the blurred lines between faith and manipulation makes for a thought-provoking commentary on the intersection of religion, ethics, and personal ambition in a rapidly changing society.

The book created a furor when it was published in 1927. It was banned in Boston, denounced from pulpits, and provoked threats of violence against Lewis, who preacher Billy Sunday called “Satan’s cohort”. It was also the best-selling work of fiction that year. The book was adapted for the screen in 1960 by Richard Brooks in a film starring Burt Lancaster, which won three Oscars.

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Item Info
EAN - DVD case	0674012595849
EAN - CD jacket	0674012595856
Media	MP3 CD
Package	DVD Box, CD jacket, paper security sleeve, download
Author	Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951)
Year	1927
Recording
Read by	William Allan Jones
Length	19 hours and 59 minutes
Type of Reading	Solo