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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Dreiser is one of those authors that was constantly in my options to read for various literature classes throughout my academic career. And while I dimly remember reading a portion of An American Tragedy somewhere along the line, his works were relegated to a dusty corner for a long time. However, this book is important, in its way, despite its lugubriousness and overwrought prose.
The importance of the work lies in its subject matter and the ending. In today's world, "innocent gal makes her way to the big city" is a trope, but in Dreiser's time, this was still new, especially when you consider that Chicago was still building itself up into a capital-C city like New York. In addition, Carrie taking up with men as she does is a bit scandalous, and since this was "sinful" and "improper" our protagonist must come to a bad end, right? (Consider Edna Pontellier in Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, for a contemporary version of this ending choice). Dreiser lets Carrie live, for one, and for another, she actually becomes MORE successful as time sends on - unheard-of!
To get here, however, one must slog through SO MANY PAGES of dross. Some of the descriptions give a flavor of what cities were like at the turn of the 20th century, which tracks, because Dreiser was a journalist for a time. But when he overexplains human nature to make a point, or pens rather awful conversations (I lost count how many times Carrie says 'I don't know' to something), it makes a modern reader frustrated and want to stop reading.
The eminent critic, Edmund Wilson, once wrote of him, "Dreiser commands our respect; but the truth is he writes so badly that it is almost impossible to read him.” And this, I think, is still a true statement.
The importance of the work lies in its subject matter and the ending. In today's world, "innocent gal makes her way to the big city" is a trope, but in Dreiser's time, this was still new, especially when you consider that Chicago was still building itself up into a capital-C city like New York. In addition, Carrie taking up with men as she does is a bit scandalous, and since this was "sinful" and "improper" our protagonist must come to a bad end, right? (Consider Edna Pontellier in Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, for a contemporary version of this ending choice). Dreiser lets Carrie live, for one, and for another, she actually becomes MORE successful as time sends on - unheard-of!
To get here, however, one must slog through SO MANY PAGES of dross. Some of the descriptions give a flavor of what cities were like at the turn of the 20th century, which tracks, because Dreiser was a journalist for a time. But when he overexplains human nature to make a point, or pens rather awful conversations (I lost count how many times Carrie says 'I don't know' to something), it makes a modern reader frustrated and want to stop reading.
The eminent critic, Edmund Wilson, once wrote of him, "Dreiser commands our respect; but the truth is he writes so badly that it is almost impossible to read him.” And this, I think, is still a true statement.
This book is all tell and no show. The narrator of the book tells us everything that the characters are doing without showing anything. I couldn’t get through the 500+ pages.
reflective
slow-paced
If Theodore Dreiser had written “the latter” one more time, I would have taken off a star.
"Oh, blind strivings of the human heart! Onward onward, it saith, and where beauty leads, there it follows."
I was surprised to find how much the novel Sister Carrie, published almost a century ago, resonated strongly with current concerns. Carrie's immediate plunge into the then-new urban sprawl of Chicago seeking work resounded with the frustrations of the working class in endeavors to merge into the job market. She builds relationships and reflects upon the ideals of the people - men- she meets, and Carrie's navigations through such ideals are interesting, because, while she is initially very inexperienced, she is never naïve. She recognizes shortcomings both in herself and others, and while at times she exercises poor judgment, she is able to negotiate a new life in Chicago and ultimately New York.
This is an excellent novel portraying the vastness of urban life, the dimensions and spheres of the different classes, and the ultimate quest for happiness and success, which Carrie must consider through the trials of human life.
I was surprised to find how much the novel Sister Carrie, published almost a century ago, resonated strongly with current concerns. Carrie's immediate plunge into the then-new urban sprawl of Chicago seeking work resounded with the frustrations of the working class in endeavors to merge into the job market. She builds relationships and reflects upon the ideals of the people - men- she meets, and Carrie's navigations through such ideals are interesting, because, while she is initially very inexperienced, she is never naïve. She recognizes shortcomings both in herself and others, and while at times she exercises poor judgment, she is able to negotiate a new life in Chicago and ultimately New York.
This is an excellent novel portraying the vastness of urban life, the dimensions and spheres of the different classes, and the ultimate quest for happiness and success, which Carrie must consider through the trials of human life.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored this book, and my only regret is that I didn't have a chance to sit and quietly read this without interruption. ALSO, note to self: never, ever, again read the introduction BEFORE reading the book because you will have all the very best parts spoiled and you'll regret it immensely. Nevertheless, even with the ending spelled out for me beforehand, I still enjoyed seeing the story play out on the pages. I'm looking forward to reading this one again.