Novels

F. W. Sinclair was a prolific novelist, exploring a wide range of themes and genres across his litany of works. Unlike other authors of his time, Sinclair did not confine himself to a single genre. He was a pioneer in the spaces of fantasy, romance, adventure, and mystery, with every novel he published taking on a drastically different voice than the one before it.

Though Sinclair’s novels were not yet considered classics in their time, they were incredibly influential on the landscape of literary fiction. Both C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien have employed Sinclairian elements in their works. Humorist Mark Twain often cited Sinclair’ as “a stupendous example of what not to do”. Meanwhile, American Cartoonist Dr. Seuss was heavily influenced by Sinclair’s writings, openly admitting that the Star-Bellied Sneetches were directly based on Sinclair’s ‘stupid yellow things’ from his 1871 Novel The Search for the City of Jade.

Though Sinclair reportedly wrote over 30 full length novels, scholars have only found 7 intact copies that are worth reading.

The Search for The City of Jade (1871)

A thrilling adventure that follows the enigmatic Professor Charbonneau and his loyal cabin boy Dudley on their perilous quest to find the mythical Lost City of Jade. But after the Professor gets kidnapped by evil pterodactyls from the end of the world, Dudley must navigate hostile natives, bizarre creatures, and a mysterious prophecy in his treacherous journey to find the lost city and free his mentor. The 1871 classic is considered a keystone work in the “lost world” genre of adventure novels.

Red Prairie Blues (1872)

Sinclair’s second full length novel follows Celeste Jones, a frontier girl wrestling between the decision to stay with her ailing father or follow her dreams of moving to the incredible metropolis of Kansas City. It is Sinclair’s only surviving novel set in America, making it unique within his catalog. It also shows Sinclair’s misguided understanding of American ecology, as, had he actually visited America, he would have likely known that there were no crocodiles in Kansas.

The Dangers of Love (1874)

When the romantic Mr. Tremblay finds the love of his life smitten with another man, he embarks on a lovestruck quest to win back her favor. The 1874 classic was Sinclair’s first steps into the romance genre of literary fiction, which was still in its infancy. The novel’s influence can still be felt over 150 years later, as it features the first recorded use of the word ‘bootylicious’.

The Murder of Mrs. Dubois (1875)

The debut and finale of Sinclair’s beloved hero, Detective Jean LeBlanc, sees the inspector grapple with his most puzzling case yet: the mysterious death of celebrity socialite Mrs. Dubois. This fast paced, thrilling story showcases Sinclair’s talents for mystery writing, a genre he himself admitted he never wrote enough of. LeBlanc has been referred to as ‘France’s Sherlock Holmes’, despite actually appearing 13 years before his more widely known British counterpart.

The Enchantress of Cape Medan (1877)

This fantastical tale sees the sleepy seaside village of Cape Medan battle with the presence of demonic witchcraft in their town. What makes this story particularly groundbreaking is it depicts the unholy events from the perspective of the witch, rather than the brutish townsfolk, which have lead some Sinclair scholars to cite it as an early example of feminist literature. From boiling cauldrons to flying broomsticks to feline companions, The Enchantress of Cape Medan is thought to be the origin of many depictions of witchcraft that are seen in popular media, even to this day.

Tomorrow: A Glimpse Into The Second Millennium (1880)

A collection of quotes and predictions F. W. Sinclair made about what life would be like 140 years in the future. From the existence of automobiles to mankind’s groundbreaking leaps in space travel, scholars have hailed Tomorrow: A Glimpse Into The Second Millennium as showcase of Sinclair’s uncanny ability to predict future events. Though skeptics dismiss most of Sinclair’s predictions as vague, open ended, or flat out incorrect, they have yet to come up with an explanation for Sinclair’s 1861 quote, “Bama to the natty you heard it here first.”

Misunderstood Genius: The Autobiography of F.W. Sinclair (1886)

The final book Sinclair would ever publish sees him reflecting on his life and legacy. It is the first and only nonfiction work he would ever publish, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of history’s most unique minds. Though some historians have criticized the autobiography for being “drunkenly penned” and “borderline illegible,” Sinclair scholars have hailed it for its a raw, vulnerable writing style that never strays from its brutal honesty.