WORK OF ART

by Sinclair Lewis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 24, 1933

American version, IMPERIAL PALACE (Arnold Bennett) -- metamorphosed into a composite picture of the thousands of drab, commercial hotels this country over, with side trimmings of New York's exclusive caravansaries, of eyries of high class boot-loggers, of resort hotels in varying degrees of preservation, and of family hotels in good and bad repute. The central character in Myron Weagle, who at 15 is inspired by a traveling salesman with an ideal of perfection -- and goes after it, with commendable seal and intelligence and imagination. Throughout the upward climb, from the lowest rungs to the ""perfect hotel"" he keeps an ""idea book"" -- and then comes the realisation and the crash. The finale is as unexpected as it is moving. And throughout, Sinclair Lewis succeeds in making his unprepossessing hero an amazingly interesting and appealing character, the little man with the vision. Somehow there is more tie-up with DODSWORTH than with others of his books, though it is hard to analyze. Certainly a man's book, rather than a woman's. In addition to the regular Lewis market, which is there without much effort on the part of the salesman, there is a chance for a plus sale in calling the book to the personal attention of local hotel and inn keepers, and to any ""traveling men"" in the community. The publishers have some special sales ideas -- send for your 16-page ""idea books"" for your-selves and your customers, and watch the advance campaign for sales aids. Posters -- advertising -- etc. scheduled.

Pub Date: Jan. 24, 1933

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday, Doran

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1933

Categories: NONFICTION