The Prodigal Parents is a novel by Sinclair Lewis, first published in 1925. It tells the story of a young couple, John and Mary, who are struggling to make ends meet in a small Midwestern town. They have two children, a son and a daughter, and are trying to provide them with a good life. John and Mary are both from wealthy families, but they have chosen to live a simpler life. They are content with their lot, but their parents are not. John's father, a successful businessman, is determined to bring his son back into the fold and make him a success. He offers John a job in his company, but John refuses, preferring to stay in the small town and make his own way. Meanwhile, Mary's parents are equally determined to bring her back into their world. They offer her a job in their department store, but Mary also refuses, preferring to stay with her family. The novel follows the struggles of John and Mary as they try to make a life for themselves and their children, while their parents try to pull them back into their world. In the end, John and Mary must decide whether to stay in the small town and make their own way, or to return to their parents and accept their help.
By Sinclair Lewis · First published 1938 · Genre: Drama, Family Saga, Realistic Fiction · 40 chapters