Post by printo316 on Jul 4, 2023 19:35:09 GMT -5
An American Tragedy (1925) by Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945)
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So, I know this is a niche topic, but since I got done reading a really great book, I thought I should share my thoughts and opinions on the book.
Plot: Clyde Griffiths, born to a family of street preachers who move from city to city (currently in Kansas City) decides that he wants to pursue two things in life: money and women. He gets a job working as a bellboy at a hotel, earning 30 dollars in tips alone. However, tragedy strikes as he and a group of friends decide to go driving around the city, when they hit, and ultimately kill, a young girl. Clyde decides to skip town and ultimately makes his way to the (fictional) city of Lycurgus, New York. His uncle owns a factory there and decides to give Clyde a job, although he has to work his way up the ladder. He forms a secret relationship with one of the poor women working there, Roberta, while being in a relationship with a rich woman named Sondra. The secret between Roberta and Clyde is threatened when she gets pregnant. Although Clyde does try to procure an abortion, all the attempts fail. She tries to convince him to marry her but he does not want to, because it would mean he would have to live a poor life. SPOILER ALERT (!!!): Ultimately, he takes her up to a lake to drown her. Upon her body being discovered, he is almost immediately arrested, and his explanation about it being an accident makes no sense. He is put to trial, found guilty, and executed in New York’s electric chair.
Thoughts: Upon reading the Wikipedia page for Dreiser, I found out that he was an atheist who supported the Soviet Union. So, I thought it was interesting how the upbringing of Clyde, who’s been living under the moral but strict thumb of his religious parents as a kid, might just be a critique of religion. Upon discovering the opposite sex as a young teenager, he is unable to use sex in moderation, getting into relationships with wealthier women much to his detriment (perhaps a critique on capitalism). I also thought, in the second part, how interesting the topic of abortion was discussed in so frankly how it was. Although the word isn’t used, it is pretty clear what the characters are talking about. Lastly, the character of Clyde Griffiths is based off a real murderer named Chester Gillette (notice the same initials) who also meet the same grizzly end to an electric chair in 1908. The book, at 814 pages, was very engaging and quite the page turner. My only complaint is the part of the book where Clyde Griffiths is testifying at the murder trail. It lasts 60 pages long and I thought it could’ve been sooner. Other than that, I think it is a fantastic book that I’d highly recommend. Also, this book is public domain in most countries, including the United States and most of Europe.
i.postimg.cc/wxPc38Xh/EB1-CCBD3-6-AF7-4705-A8-A0-9749804-FB524.jpg
i.postimg.cc/ZYfp2k7G/8-F3-DDEA3-92-FC-4013-9-B58-D815-A264384-D.jpg
So, I know this is a niche topic, but since I got done reading a really great book, I thought I should share my thoughts and opinions on the book.
Plot: Clyde Griffiths, born to a family of street preachers who move from city to city (currently in Kansas City) decides that he wants to pursue two things in life: money and women. He gets a job working as a bellboy at a hotel, earning 30 dollars in tips alone. However, tragedy strikes as he and a group of friends decide to go driving around the city, when they hit, and ultimately kill, a young girl. Clyde decides to skip town and ultimately makes his way to the (fictional) city of Lycurgus, New York. His uncle owns a factory there and decides to give Clyde a job, although he has to work his way up the ladder. He forms a secret relationship with one of the poor women working there, Roberta, while being in a relationship with a rich woman named Sondra. The secret between Roberta and Clyde is threatened when she gets pregnant. Although Clyde does try to procure an abortion, all the attempts fail. She tries to convince him to marry her but he does not want to, because it would mean he would have to live a poor life. SPOILER ALERT (!!!): Ultimately, he takes her up to a lake to drown her. Upon her body being discovered, he is almost immediately arrested, and his explanation about it being an accident makes no sense. He is put to trial, found guilty, and executed in New York’s electric chair.
Thoughts: Upon reading the Wikipedia page for Dreiser, I found out that he was an atheist who supported the Soviet Union. So, I thought it was interesting how the upbringing of Clyde, who’s been living under the moral but strict thumb of his religious parents as a kid, might just be a critique of religion. Upon discovering the opposite sex as a young teenager, he is unable to use sex in moderation, getting into relationships with wealthier women much to his detriment (perhaps a critique on capitalism). I also thought, in the second part, how interesting the topic of abortion was discussed in so frankly how it was. Although the word isn’t used, it is pretty clear what the characters are talking about. Lastly, the character of Clyde Griffiths is based off a real murderer named Chester Gillette (notice the same initials) who also meet the same grizzly end to an electric chair in 1908. The book, at 814 pages, was very engaging and quite the page turner. My only complaint is the part of the book where Clyde Griffiths is testifying at the murder trail. It lasts 60 pages long and I thought it could’ve been sooner. Other than that, I think it is a fantastic book that I’d highly recommend. Also, this book is public domain in most countries, including the United States and most of Europe.