Orphaned as a teen, Carol Milford grew up in a city in Minnesota. Already a compassionate person, Carol's time studying in college and grad school exposed her to diverse, radical ideas and lifestyles, which she learned to either accept or tolerate. After college, Carol earns a position as a librarian in the state capital city, yet finds the work to be unsatisfying. This is why she agrees when her new husband, a doctor named Will, asks if they can move to his small hometown. However, soon after Will and Carol arrive in the rural town, Carol finds herself immensely disappointed in the scenery and culture. The architecture of the town is ugly and bland, and is decorated to match. Meanwhile, its occupants hold a high level of snooty conservatism, and immediately disapprove of Carol for being a working woman. Because Carol loves her husband and loves to help, she becomes determined to lead a reform for the town by cleaning up the streets and educating the people. However, as Carol attempts to start progressive clubs and tries to make friends, every idea she has is disregarded and disrespected by the town's prominent cliques. Still, Carol persistent, and tries to overcome each obstacle they throw at her, dedicated to inspiring the town to adopt a more accepting and informed culture.
Sinclair Lewis' Main Street is ranked among the one hundred best English-language novels of the 20th century by Modern Library. With immense detail, wit, and emotion, Main Street certainly earns this honor. Through the strong depiction of a working-class woman and the inclusion of themes such as love, maturity, feminism, social change, and culture clashes, Lewis addresses important issues and encourages reflection and debate.
This edition of Main Street by Sinclair Lewis features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font. With these accommodations, this edition restores Main Street to modern standards while preserving its original heart and mastery.

Portrait

Harry Sinclair Lewis was an American novelist, playwright, and short-story writer born on 7 February 1885 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. He gained recognition for his sharp critiques of American society, particularly targeting materialism, religious hypocrisy, and conformity. His works often featured ambitious characters navigating flawed institutions, blending satire with psychological insight. In 1930, he became the first writer from the United States to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone that acknowledged both his literary innovation and cultural influence. His notable novels include Main Street, Babbitt, Arrowsmith, and Elmer Gantry, each known for exposing the undercurrents of social life in small-town America and beyond. Over the years, his writing was influenced by figures such as Robert G. Ingersoll, Edmund Wilson, and Richard Harding Davis. He was married twice, first to Grace Hegger Lewis from 1914 to 1925, and later to journalist Dorothy Thompson from 1928 to 1942. Lewis died in Rome, Italy on 10 January 1951 at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy of bold social commentary and literary achievement.