Babbitt

Babbitt is a novel written by Sinclair Lewis and published in 1922. It is considered one of his best works and a fundamental book for understanding American society in the first half of the 20th century.

George Babbit is a real estate salesman from the fictional city of Zenith who runs a small and prosperous business. His wife is dedicated to waiting at home for her husband to return from work, while their children are dedicated to having fun without paying much attention to their father.

George is highly respected by colleagues and friends and does everything that is expected of him in society, taking great importance in how others see him.

Everything changes when his best friend, disenchanted with his life, shoots his wife and goes to prison. This will make George rethink some things and remove some of the ties imposed by society.

"The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods. They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings."