Listen to a sample
It Can’t Happen Here
- Author
- Sinclair Lewis
- Narrator
- Grover Gardner
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 5 July 2016
- Run Time
- 14 hours 27 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
First published in 1935, when Americans were still largely oblivious to the rise of Hitler in Europe, this prescient novel tells a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and offers an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America.
Doremus Jessup, a newspaper editor, is dismayed to find that many of the people he knows support presidential candidate Berzelius Windrip. The suspiciously fascist Windrip is offering to save the nation from sex, crime, welfare cheats, and a liberal press. But after Windrip wins the election, dissent soon becomes dangerous for Jessup. Windrip forcibly gains control of Congress and the Supreme Court and, with the aid of his personal paramilitary storm troopers, turns the United States into a totalitarian state.
Critics Review
-
“One of the most important books ever produced in this country.”
New Yorker
-
“This audio version of the Sinclair Lewis classic keeps listeners riveted to Grover Gardner’s restrained yet powerful delivery. The 1935 novel, which predicts a dystopian future, is truly crafted for listening. Gardner is masterful at bringing listeners into the workings of protagonist Doremus Jessup’s worried mind.”
AudioFile
-
“Written at white heat.”
Chicago Tribune
-
“The novel that foreshadowed Donald Trump’s authoritarian appeal.”
Salon
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
“A message to thinking Americans.”
Springfield Republican
-
“Lewis imagined the rise of a populist figure by the name of Buzz Windrip who rallies to defeat FDR in the 1936 election…Windrip loves big, passionate rallies and rails against the ‘lies of the mainstream press.’”
Time
-
“A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy…It Can’t Happen Here remains uniquely important, a shockingly prescient novel that’s as fresh and contemporary as today’s news.”
Library Journal (starred review)
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Sinclair Lewis
- Narrator
- Grover Gardner
- Duration
- 14 hours 27 minutes
- Release Date
- 5 July 2016
- ISBN
- 9781504768252
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Narrative theme: Politics, Classic fiction, Alternative history fiction, Historical fiction, Dystopian and utopian fiction
Synopsis
First published in 1935, when Americans were still largely oblivious to the rise of Hitler in Europe, this prescient novel tells a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and offers an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America.Doremus Jessup, a newspaper editor, is dismayed to find that many of the people he knows support presidential candidate Berzelius Windrip. The suspiciously fascist Windrip is offering to save the nation from sex, crime, welfare cheats, and a liberal press. But after Windrip wins the election, dissent soon becomes dangerous for Jessup. Windrip forcibly gains control of Congress and the Supreme Court and, with the aid of his personal paramilitary storm troopers, turns the United States into a totalitarian state.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.