Arrowsmith

by Sinclair Lewis
Arrowsmith  
published 1998 by Signet Classics
first published 1925
binding Paperback
isbn 0451526910   (isbn13: 9780451526915)
pages 440
literary awards Pulitzer Prize
description As the son and grandson of physicians, Sinclair Lewis had a store of experiences and imparted knowledge to draw upon for Arrowsmith.Published i...more
date added
12-18-06



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 399)



Tyler
Tyler rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/04/08

bookshelves: 20th-century
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Tyler by: _Pulitzer Prize award
recommends it for: _anyone
What a premise for a book: A young man falls in love, not just with a young woman, but with a quest. This is the passion that infuses Arrowsmith. How the author was able to put blood into such an idea explains in part the Pulitzer prize.

The other part that explains the award is that the book is a good read. Covering the nearly 20 years during which a student (and later researcher) learns to embrace his life's calling, the plot never stalls. The constant motion guides us along with Mar...more
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  4 comments

Ellie
Ellie rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/10/07

Read in May, 2005
I was a bit apprehensive before starting this book, because it was published in 1924 and I thought perhaps the language and structure would be too old-fashioned and it would be terribly boring and a drag to get through. I was very pleasantly surprised, however. The language itself is a bit old-fashioned, but the structure is not, and the book is thoughtful, funny, and enjoyable to read. It’s about this guy Martin Arrowsmith who goes to college and then medical school (“medic school;” appar...more
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Tamara
Tamara rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/02/08

bookshelves: pulitzer-winners
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Tamara by: The Pulitzer committee
recommends it for: Danae and Matt (I think you would relate)
I really liked this book in the end. It was one of those that takes a while for the story to grab hold, but once it does, you are just dying to get to the end. Arrowsmith starts out as a medical student who is driven by pure science and research and will not be compromised by visions of wealth and false medical promises of incomplete research. The book flows like his experiments, trudging along hoping for a break through. His life is a mirror of his experiments...trudging along, hoping for a bre...more
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Jadewik
Jadewik rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
07/08/08

bookshelves: classics
Read in July, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Candice
Candice rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
12/08/07

Read in November, 2007
recommends it for: Medical Students
I typically don't pick up satire. But Sinclair Lewis does a brilliant job at satire. I read this book for my medicine and society class. Its pretty amazing how much of a comedy Lewis can turn the medical profession into, while the whole time, keeping the serious tone with the characters. The main character, Martin Arrowsmith, is a very passionate and dramatic person, for a physician. There are some parts in the book that seem to drag. And I don't always appreciate the way the Lewis portray...more
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rinabeana
rinabeana rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/05/08

Read in December, 2003
My aunt gave me this book for Christmas after I told her I was interested in chemistry and she wrote in it that it had influenced her decision to become a chemist. It's one of my favorite novels. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that, though the book is about science, it's not overly technical and focuses more on Martin's (very human) choices in life. It's a fantastic novel, whether you are a scientist or not.
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Mary
Mary rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/16/08

This book offers a perspective on the growth of the medical profession. By reading about Dr. Arrowsmith's life, readers learn about the medical profession in early 20th century America.

One of the difficulities in reading this book, is the antiquated language the represents this period in history. "Gosh, Golly Gee"

All in all it was a good read. I always enjoy reading the Pulitizer Prize winners.

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Ryan
Ryan rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
09/10/07

Read in June, 2007
recommends it for: any early 20th c. lit. enthusiast
I really liked this book for 2 specific reasons: 1) I'm in the medical field and I saw a lot of myself in the plucky young doc named Martin Arrowsmith with his high ideals and sometimes quick frustration with the injustices around him; 2) you just can't beat satire. If that sounds like it's for you, then happy reading.
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Daniel
Daniel rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
12/17/07

Read in January, 1990
recommends it for: yes
This book is a great lesson in life as are many of Lewis' books. The lessons I got were, first Arrowsmith's love of his work beyond anything else, which extended beyond his selfish desires for women, which cost him his first wife's life in one of the greatest ironic twist of any novel I've read.
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Ross
02/06/08

Read in January, 1997
recommended to Ross by: Darren
The book that inspired the band. Not really. It's about a medical scientist, and one of the earliest novels to portray scientific culture. Won a Pulitzer Prize back in 1926, back when Sinclair Lewis was considered the greatest American writer. No longer. Reading it today, this was pretty boring.
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J
J rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
01/24/08

Read in February, 2000
It's been a long time since I tried reading this but at the time I couldn't finish it. The chapters that had a good bit of dialog were fine but other description-heavy chapters dragged so much that I was falling asleep while reading it. I'm not exactly sure why this is a classic.
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Hepsmom
Hepsmom rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
12/29/07

Read in January, 1983
recommends it for: those interested in social commentary/science
When I read this book, it started my love for Sinclair Lewis. He is, as far as I'm concerned, the Charles Dickens of the US. This book is about a young man who experiences disappointments and disillusionment in his life on his way to a career that he believes he wants.
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Meg
Meg rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
06/18/08

bookshelves: unforgettable-faves
Read in November, 2001
recommends it for: everyone
This book really glamorized science for me. It was just so dramatic and it really changed my view of biology and science in general. I think this is why I eventually began working in a hospital, and studied microbiology and considered becoming a vet or pharmacist.
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Audra
Audra rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
10/02/07

Read in January, 1997
recommends it for: patients
Someone once told me that Arrowsmith is the reason some shocking percentage of doctors go to medical school in the first place--a thought that should strike fear into the heart of anyone facing surgery. A hoot from the "golden age" of scientific medicine.
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Ian
Ian rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
06/28/07

Read in January, 2005
recommends it for: you!
A very interesting depiction of an early 20th century physician/scientist who struggles with the arrogance of clinical medicine and the stigma of the uncouth scientist. A wonderful novel that I wish I had read earlier in my life.
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WK
WK rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
06/28/08

No wonder this is considered "Great Literature". Truly moving, well worth the time it takes to read.
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Drnick
Drnick rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
04/02/08

Read in January, 1982
This book constitutes my first introduction to the scientific method. I read this I think in Junior High, and I read it of my own accord. Perhaps my choice of profession was influenced by this book.
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Bliss
Bliss rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
05/07/08

Sinclair Lewis is the master of snarky social commentary and has a mastery of words. The only reason this got knocked down a star was because it got a little long.
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Jennifer
Jennifer is currently reading it
08/10/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
I've read a lot of Sinclair Lewis--mostly about three years ago. This one is good, but I remember liking "Babbitt" and "Main Street" better.
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Zed
Zed rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/30/08

bookshelves: fiction
An excellent book about the life of a scientist, apparently based loosely on the life of some individuals at a well know research institute.
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.73 (294 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.75 (263 ratings)
number of reviews: 33






other editions

Arrowsmith, Elmer Gantry, Dodsworth (Library of America)
Arrowsmith (Signet Classics (Paperback))
Arrowsmith (Paperback)