The Innocents

By: Sinclair Lewis

Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett

An older New York City couple, Mr. and Mrs. Seth Appleby, decides to leave the city for Cape Cod where they open a tea room. The tea room fails, but that's just the beginning of their adventures. With no money and no prospects, they set out as hobos and roam the countryside meeting people and gaining new experiences for the first time in their lives.

This lesser-known work by Sinclair Lewis explores universal themes of second chances, new beginnings, and being open to leaving one's comfort zone. The result is a charming tale of the discovery of inner resources the Applebys didn't realize they possessed.

Public Domain (P)2022 Lee Ann Howlett

Critic reviews

"Lee Ann Howlett's gentle voice paints a picture of Sinclair Lewis's 1917 novella about American life, told through the lives of an elderly New York City couple, "Mother" and "Father" Appleby. Listeners meet loving Father, who's worked in a shoe store for decades while Mother maintains their small home. Howlett deftly illustrates their enjoyable vacations on Cape Cod, where they decide to change their lives by opening a tearoom. Evocative portrayals of the snobbish locals, the Applebys' realization that the restaurant isn't succeeding, and their embarrassed daughter are painful to experience. When the couple decide to sell their tearoom and take to the road, the tone brightens. Particularly entertaining are news reports about the Appleby wanderers. This remarkable story elicits optimism, especially during difficult times." (S.G.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine)