An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser

Year Published: 1925
Pages: 856
Genre: Classic Crime Drama
Merut's Grade: B-/C+

I have serious mixed feelings about this book. First, it was recommended by my father, and he usually (with a few lapses) is an excellent judge of books. Next, it is a classic, and I usually like classics. But my dislike for the main character is so strong, even his redemption is irritating to me. Clyde Griffiths has to be one of the most superficial characters ever created.

I'm sure at the time of publishing the tragedy in the novel would have been extremely scandalous, in many ways. However, by today's standards these crimes are somewhat muted by the recent past (a.k.a. Laci Peterson, Jon Benet, Manson Murders). While the tragedy is still shocking, this book is extremely drawn out, to the point where the crime is predictable at least 200 pages in advance. Not only that, this book is drawn out to emphasize the situations and Clyde's mindset. The problem is, Clyde's mindset only changes in the last 20 pages. Overall, if this book was 200 pages shorter it would be pretty decent. If you do read it, do not read the Signet Classic version, because there are quite a few annoying typos. Good idea and commentary on American society and morals, but drawn out over too many pages.