Main Street (Version 2)


Read by Mark Nelson

(4.3 stars; 54 reviews)

Carol Milford, a college-educated, progressive, ambitious young woman, is self-sufficient working as a librarian in St. Paul, when she meets a country doctor, Will Kennicott, who convinces her to marry him and move to the rural Minnesota town of Gopher Prairie. She arrives with dreams of beautifying the town, of establishing art and culture, of improving lives and promoting child welfare, but whose spirit is gradually and inexorably crushed by small-town attitudes, ignorance and bigotry. First published in 1920, Main Street is Sinclair Lewis' first major novel, and was a phenomenal success at the time. In 1930 Lewis would be the first American to receive the Nobel Prize for literature. - Summary by Mark Nelson (18 hr 14 min)

Chapters

Introduction 2:03 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 1 26:04 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 2 17:28 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 3 28:39 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 4 58:07 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 5 34:47 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 6 31:37 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 7 31:18 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 8 13:53 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 9 24:00 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 10 35:34 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 11 51:48 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 12 21:14 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 13 18:39 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 14 36:24 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 15 46:33 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 16 25:07 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 17 28:39 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 18 31:30 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 19 25:17 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 20 24:36 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 21 28:04 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 22 28:03 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 23 31:27 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 24 44:22 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 25 22:05 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 26 18:11 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 27 7:11 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 28 35:52 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 29 36:05 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 30 31:05 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 31 21:23 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 32 31:48 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 33 33:34 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 34 17:12 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 35 17:11 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 36 16:47 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 37 14:25 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 38 29:10 Read by Mark Nelson
Chapter 39 17:11 Read by Mark Nelson

Reviews

Main Street


(5 stars)

Of all the LibriVox books I’ve read, Main Street was the most enjoyable because the reader, Mark Nelson, was absolutely perfect for his role. He was able to shift voices convincingly, perfectly capture the sometimes-nuanced humor, and sound like an educated person from the Gopher Prairies of early 20th century America. Great book! Bravo, Mr. Nelson!Raymond Restaino


(4 stars)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Many of the attitudes and struggles people faced in this story are still being faced today.

Excellent Study of Human Nature


(5 stars)

Although I struggled at times with the book, I am very glad that I followed it to its end. As a Californian who lived for two years in a small Minnesota farm town, almost exactly as described here, almost 50 years ago, trying to be a farmer and getting back to the land, it was exactly the narrow minded people described here that drove us back to California and we never looked back. The novel is so incredibly accurate in the portrayal of the characters. It’s definitely worth listening to. Thank you Mark Nelson for your exceptional talent in bringing us this wonderful book. Please bring us more of such quality literature!

Poor Carol...


(4 stars)

She's energized by the idea of changing the town - its architecture, its lack of high culture, its dullness - but every attempt she makes is thwarted. Eventually she even rejects her husband for his lack of culture and uncouthness. She keeps kicking against the goads, but only hurts herself. How far will she go? Will she ever accomplish reform, or will she have to escape before drowning in the mediocrity? I don't like the author's mocking of religion and dumping all religion into the refuse pile, but it's a common attitude of his time. Reader is excellent; sound quality is excellent.

surprisingly excellent


(5 stars)

I was put off by the description of the book, it’s only that it’s Mark Nelson reading it and then I realised I’d enjoyed one by this author that I gave it a go. I am glad I did. It’s an excellent work of fiction and a superb social study and commentary. It’s amazing that it’s 100+ years since it was published because there are so many resonances today. Mark Nelson does a fantastic job of reading this and brining these fascinating and complex characters to life and the resolution to the story is very satisfying too.


(2.5 stars)

The narrator did a very good job. The novel is slow and not much happens. I was bored often by it. I wouldn’t recommend it.


(5 stars)

Very good reading, very authentic and nuanced for a listener like me who is not from the US.

Well read by the narrator, but sort of a slow story


(3 stars)