The novel follows the story of a young artist, Johnnie Gray, who is struggling to make a name for himself in the art world. He is a talented painter, but his work is not appreciated by the art critics and gallery owners. He is also struggling to make ends meet, and is constantly in debt. Johnnie meets a wealthy woman, Mrs. Van Dyke, who is interested in his work and offers to help him financially. She also introduces him to her circle of friends, who are all part of the art world. Johnnie is soon accepted into the group, and his work begins to be appreciated. However, Johnnie soon finds himself in a difficult situation. He is torn between his love for Mrs. Van Dyke and his desire to be a successful artist. He must decide whether to stay with Mrs. Van Dyke and be financially secure, or to pursue his art and risk failure. The novel follows Johnnie's journey as he struggles to make a name for himself in the art world, and to find a balance between his love and his art.
By Sinclair Lewis · First published 1934 · Genre: Satire, Realism, Romance · 36 chapters