Stories of Sinclair Lewis
From the Sauk Centre Herald

1) Lewis and Bryant Library
2) Cast gets into Sinclair Lewis' skin
3) Bookseller remembers afternoon with Lewis
4) Is Lewis relavent?
5) Carol Kennicott returns to Main Street
6) Lewis scholars celebrate 75th anniversary of Babbitt
7) Enlightened on Lewis
8) The German side of Sinclair Lewis
9) The athletic side of Sinclair Lewis

Bookseller remembers afternoon with Lewis

by Anne Robinson, Herald Intern

J. Harold Kittleson, Minneapolis, describes Sinclair Lewis as a warm, friendly, restless man. Kittleson, age 91, managed book stores and worked as a salesperson for Random House, Lewis' last publisher, for 45 years. He spent an afternoon at the Lewis home in Duluth shortly after World War II.
"He was a wonderful man and one of this century's greatest writers," Kittleson said.
Kittleson remembers sitting in the livingroom of the Lewis home. He and Lewis discussed the book column Lewis was writing for Esquire magazine at the time. Lewis expressed disappointment in an ungracious reception when he spoke at the University of Minnesota--Duluth.
"The most important thing to say about Lewis is he wasn't a very happy man," Kittleson said. Kittleson said professors and students today read the work of Lewis with pleasure and understanding, indicating his vision and relevance."
He was a really important, significant writer who could be called a genius," Kittleson said. "Most creative people have vision. That is why they are good. Kittleson is glad Sauk Centre recognizes Lewis and his writing as part of the city's heritage. Kittleson said Lewis would be honored Sauk Centre named the annual community celebration after him."
"There is some vanity in everybody that you have made a contribution," Kittleson said. Kittleson has been to Sauk Centre. He spoke at the opening of the Boyhood Home. He is also responsible for establishing the Sinclair Lewis book collection at Macalester College, St. Paul." Lewis was a very special event in my life," Kittleson said.
Gopher Prairie Gazette produced by the Sauk Centre Herald, July 16, 1996