Main Street

Sinclair Lewis's satirical novel "Main Street," published in 1920, portrays the life and struggles of Carol Milford Kennicott in the fictional town of Gopher Prairie, based on Lewis's hometown. Set in the 1910s, the story critiques small-town mentality, incorporating events like World War I and Prohibition. Carol's attempts to reform the town face resistance, leading to her departure. Lewis received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1930, with "Main Street" cited for its descriptive art and character creation. The book ranked #68 on the Modern Library's list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.