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

A Very Compelling Story

I really enjoyed this book very much, it gave me lots to think about. I felt a sense of dread all the way through it, but I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a classic. I almost never want to listen to an abridged version of a book, but in this case I think it might be a good idea. Listening to the book inspired me to watch the film based on it, A Place In The Sun. I really enjoyed that and found the casting of the film worked perfectly with my vision of the characters.

I got the point

I purchased this because I'm on a Mission to read the top 100 books of all time... I love Paul literature so I can't complain, this book was very long, with little story. On to the next..

Important work

I fail to understand why this important work included narration that gave many characters from upper New York state a southern accent. A fascinating character study is ruined by the narration choices.

Affecting and encompassing masterpiece

Clyde Griffiths, an ambitious social climber with grave personal flaw, fell in and out of love with an adoring factory girl, but has to abandon his moral anchor when the opportunity of fortune and status avail itself in the affection of an upper-class dame. Affectingly developed characters, biographical realism and a simple, linear yet encompassing plot line lend this fiction its masterpiece mantle.

Dan John Miller gave a titillating narrating performance.

Tragedy it is

I think, it's a very good book and a great audiobook but tragic.
Also I disliked some of it, I was constantly captivated by it.
Narrator is amazingly good.

A Novel Thoroughly of Its Time and Place

I think that there is a reason some novels of the early twentieth century are well known and still read by many such as the Grapes of Wrath or the Great Gatsby while others have left modern consciousness. I believe that one of the items that determines this is whether the story is a timeless one or one thoroughly imbedded in its time and place.

An American Tragedy firmly belongs in the later category. From the language of the novel to the general plot many of its elements will seem foreign to a modern audience. However, this is not to say that the novel is without merit. After adjusting myself to the language of the novel I found the story to be genuinely intriguing. It was interesting to see how teenagers and young adults behaved in much the same way in the early 20th century that they do now. Especially when your parents and grandparents can make it seem like they had none of the same impulses that modern teenagers have.

As long as you are willing to give the novel a chance and forgive some of the antiquated language, like repetition of gee this and gee that and references to haberdashers and dry goods stores then I think that you should give the novel a chance. You must give it until at least the half way point though as I found myself thinking that I should turn it off until this point.

I would also like to say that I think Dan John Miller does a very good job narrating the book.

too long

really needed an editor. too long and repetitive. story could have been decent if more concise.

Timeless Classic, Ok Performance

This classic tale of conscience, set in the 1920's - think Great Gatsby, is a vivid window into the separation of classes and the struggle to improve one's birthright against the immovable mores of the era. It's protagonist, though pitiable, isn't very likable. In fact - most of Dreiser's characters are hard to like except for the humble, poor, and hardworking. There are a few exceptions, however, and he really doesn't draw you to hate any one of them. In fact - by its end, he painted a vivid understanding of a youth, dissatisfied with his lot in life, who's tragic lack of courage and honor, leads himself and many undeserving others toward heartache and destruction. With highly symbolic and vivid imagry, he sets each scene perfectly. There's a lot to think about, and challenge one's own sense of materialism, elitism, bigotry, conscience, self awareness, and consciousness. Very applicable to current hot issues of civil fairness, sexism, abortion, prison reform, and the death penalty. The audio performance is done well, mostly. This reader tends to make all the women sound simple , simpering, and similar. That was the only element I found distracting.

A must read!!

This novel by Mr. Dreiser is one of the best books I’ve read. The narration by Mr. Miller was excellent. Normally I stick to non-fiction but this just may prompt me to consider more novels!

Excellent narration

If you could sum up An American Tragedy in three words, what would they be?

Sprawling realism as-it-happens

What was one of the most memorable moments of An American Tragedy?

Difficult question. Certainly the portion of the trial with Clyde Griffiths on the stand, as interogated by the DA. Also, the tragic lake drowning scene and Griffith's subsequent flight.

Have you listened to any of Dan John Miller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no.

Any additional comments?

Dan John Miller's narration was excellent. I seriously doubt I could have made it through such a sprawling story without Mr. Miller's read characterization. The story is very interesting, but Dreiser is much in need of an editor.

On the story itself: I kept thinking that Clyde's physical similarity to his cousin Gilbert would somehow be used. It's amazing how close Dreiser stuck to the original true story of Chester Gillette and Grace Brown. It's beyond belief the number of "mistakes" made by Clyde and yet still thinking he could possibly convince anyone that it was an accident or suicide.

After Clyde's conviction, the novel really drags on to his execution. I found all the religious rant and Clyde's "conversion" without any admission of personal responsibility unconvincing. He's amoral and always expecting someone else to help him. He's not a likable character in the end.

I would have liked a more adult-sounding, mature narration for Roberta. I found Sondra, the rich girl love interest, irritating and annoying, with all of her baby talk; we're just told that she was beautiful without a lot of demonstration of how she could have been so alluring as to tempt Clyde to get rid of Roberta.