It Can't Happen Here

Christopher Hurt's voice--dry, slightly harsh, yet expressive--and his tone--sprightly and waspish--match the satirical mode of Lewis's 1936 novel of a fascist takeover of the U.S. and its aftermath. The sprightliness is troubling in descriptions of brutal violence and oppression, but Hurt faithfully mirrors the tone of the novel, a sometimes uncomfortable mix of clownish satire, hyperrealistic bourgeois fiction, and essayistic imaginary history, all a bit dated. He provides accents, varied voices, and even singing, as needed. He also supplies an emotional awareness that matches the power the novel accumulates. Despite its flaws, this book has much to say about political repression. It hits hard, and Hurt puts it across effectively. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


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. The small-town news editor is dismayed at his country's plummet into a dictatorship under President Buzz Windrip, a folksy fascist whose version of Brown Shirts is called Minute Men. He succeeds because of a gullible public and a willing corporate elite. The audiobook may remind some of our own recent politics. Lewis's satirical vision of an America mired in the Depression and bereft of hope is chillingly understated and stays with the listener long after the production ends. A.D.M. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine