Sinclair Lewis 
The Innocents: A Story for Lovers (Annotated) 

• This edition includes the following editor’s introduction: Sinclair Lewis, a controversial Nobel Laureate in Literature

‘The Innocents: A Story for Lovers” by American author Sinclair Lewis was one of his two novels published in 1917. “
The Innocents” was originally a collection of serialized stories for a women’s magazine and Lewis’s last distinctive pulp novel.



Though first published in 1917, “The Innocents: A Story for Lovers” depicts themes and attitudes applicable to modern audiences over one hundred years later. With themes of identity and ageism, the novel examines the issue of discrimination against the elderly and the dissonance often present between one’s own identity and the identity that is perceived by society. With memorable characters and sweet sentiment, “The Innocents: A Story of Lovers” encourages optimism and the defiance of convention.



“The Innocents: A Story of Lovers” tells the story of the Appleby’s, an apparently happy couple. Often referring to the other as “
father” or “
mother”, the couple have remained as affectionate and passionate as newlyweds, and both are energetic despite their old age. Though they feel young and full of life, their adult daughter, with whom they share a difficult relationship with, and the rest of society, hardly agrees. Disenfranchised and underestimated, Mrs. and Mr. Appleby resent the assumption that their lives are over, and in attempt to satiate their desires and prove the others wrong, they decide to take a risk. Working toward a long-held dream, the Appleby’s risk their life savings to open a roadside café in New England, despite the protests and doubts of their daughter. Excited and optimistic, the two begin their business journey ready for any obstacle in their way, or so they thought…