Reviews

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser

pbandgee's review

challenging 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

4.0

sif's review against another edition

dark reflective tense 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

3.75

baklavopita's review against another edition

3.0

This is certainly an instance where I need half stars, for I would give this a 3 1/2, but cannot bring myself to give it 4 stars. I've never read Dreiser being so tedious. Maybe I haven't read enough Dreiser, although Jennie Gerhardt is one of my favorite novels of all time, and I read Sister Carrie in one sitting in college because I just couldn't put it down. And therein lies why I cannot give An American Tragedy 4 stars. It was too easy to put down. I didn't eagerly await reading time each night. I was so ready for it to be over when it was only halfway done. It's a great story! Dreiser just needed to do a heap of editing. It's too ponderous, and I had a hard time mustering sympathy for Clyde.

prof_shoff's review

1.0

Save me. Ms. Johnson assigned this in 11th grade and I'm pretty sure I was the only student who actually read the whole thing. Dreiser may be an expert of American realism but he's damned boring.

mr1930s's review

Too long and droning...

colleen6270's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ameboleyn's review against another edition

3.0

this book was WAY too long but i did surprisingly find it had many interesting things to say ? i assumed i would chalk this up as unbearably similar to other books at this time about seductive women and money bad blah blah, but i think all the different characters and their relationships w one another was actually very interesting to explore and watch develop across the book ! classic that actually it is still women’s fault tho

mcribsy13's review

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

karisha's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

bemysea's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0