An American Tragedy

By: Theodore Dreiser

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 34 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

An American Tragedy is the story of Clyde Griffiths, who spends his life in the desperate pursuit of success. On a deeper, more profound level, it is the masterful portrayal of the society whose values both shape Clyde's ambitions and seal his fate; it is an unsurpassed depiction of the harsh realities of American life and of the dark side of the American dream. Extraordinary in scope and power, vivid in its sense of wholesale human waste, unceasing in its rich compassion, An American Tragedy stands as Theodore Dreiser's supreme achievement.

First published in 1925 and based on an actual criminal case, An American Tragedy was the inspiration for the 1951 film A Place in the Sun, which won six Academy Awards and starred Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift.

©1925 Theodore Dreiser (P)2011 Tantor

moving

I've read this book now I've listened to it. I highly recommend it, in any format you can find. even the first time through, it's obvious what must happen, Dreiser is such a great writer that the ending is suspenseful anyway. and still shattering the second time through. I hate to see this book become obscure. everybody read it! you won't regret it.

Good listen.

Love the classics and though I'm usually listening to a book I've already read this was my first time with AAT. Good story though having watched A Place in the Sun there were no surprises. Drags a bit during the court proceedings but overall enjoyable. Most interesting is that it was written in 1925. Ironic passage in which a grieving mother is given a little heroin to calm her down.

Dubious at best

Initially this book was started and later abandoned by the author and later completed by his wife and others. This is evident by the long rambling story. This book would have benefited by some significant edits.
Particularly tiresome is the inappropriate and over use of the term ‘dubious’. The author(s) seem to seek out every opportunity to use this term - however misapplied.

Educational, but not entertaining.

This book reminds me of a Russian novel. Dreiser picks an uncomfortable subject and wallows in it. The book is about 3 times as long as it should be, mostly because of the exceptionally repetitive dialog. The trial makes the OJ Simpson trial seem speedy by comparison.
Does this book accurately portray the legal system of the early 1900s? There was no discovery. There was no chain of evidence which left the door open for manufactured evidence. The prosecutor could harangue the alleged criminal for hours if not days repeating the same questions many times.
I picked this book because I grew up in Terre Haute, IN which was Dreiser's birthplace. It is interesting to see how the town treats Theodore compared to his older brother Paul (who anglicized his last name to Dresser when he became a popular song writer). Paul is an icon. Hoosiers sing the state song (On the Banks of the Wabash) that he wrote. Theodore is rarely mentioned. Theodore did not live there as long.

Sad

What a story. So much to think about when finished . I don’t know if I could recommended it or
not.

An American Tragedy

A detailed and thoughtful story pitting the desire for wealth against the spiritual vows of poverty. The tragedy of longing for either material wealth or a secure afterlife is developed as a sheltered young man deals with the temptations of an opportunity to pursue wealth. He is faced with the death penalty and the question of salvation and an afterlife.

a period piece, still resonant

Though most of the factory girls who make our clothes are now overseas, Dreiser's themes of social inequality, evangelical Christianity, the death penalty, and access to birth control and abortion are disquietingly familiar today. Dreiser (who partied with anarchist Emma Goldman) is sensitive and unsparing in his exploration of these issues. Protagonist Clyde Griffiths would probably make the list of "fifty boyfriends worse than yours," but narrator Dan John Miller gives him the necessary charm to make his story credible. The book drags a bit near the end, but is memorable overall.

Worth every minute

This book is exceptionally long. I was daunted by the length, but found it utterly compelling. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The minutiae of the writing reveals much about the historical period. This is very different from the movie adaptation "A Place in the Sun" which softens the story. The author does not tell you how to feel about the characters and the events, leaving you to make up your own mind. This is emotionally moving and an excellent story. Narration is also excellent.

Great beginning - ending far too long

Is there anything you would change about this book?

*spoiler alert*
It was a very interesting book indeed, however the ending was insanely long - the trial and the appeals and the waiting could'e been condensed down to half the chapters or less.
It's a very interesting story though and a good look into American upperclass society.

Top 100 books for a reason

Aptly titled and richly written, this novel explores themes of social class, industrial labor, women’s rights and religion in America, and will make you question your position on many issues. That said, it’s never tedious and the characters and believable. Not always an easy story to stomach, but an important one. The narrator is pitch perfect throughout.