An American Tragedy is one of the most important novels written by an American writer. This is not just about a murder, but also about a society that contributed to the breeding of a murderer. It sheds light upon what is wrong with one individual and the ills of that society. The writing is powerful, often clumsy, but always passionately felt.
Here's what one critic said, which is pretty much the consensus of most critics:
"An American Tragedy is a novel about a murder but also about the society that bred the murderer. It not only illuminates the dark regions of the criminal mind, but also plays a searchlight across the American class system. Dreiser assembles a variegated yet representative gallery of American types to tell his tale—male, female, rich, poor, blue-collar and rural, urban sophisticates and magnates of industry, delinquents and officers of the law, unbelievers and sincere religious folks—all drawn with insight and deep sympathy."
I hope you enjoy this and the "companion piece," Sister Carrie.
An American Tragedy is based upon a real murder.
Don
This work is assumed to be in the Life+70 public domain OR the copyright holder has given specific permission for distribution. Copyright laws differ throughout the world, and it may still be under copyright in some countries. Before downloading, please check your country's copyright laws.
If the book is under copyright in your country, do not download or redistribute this work.
To report a copyright violation you can
contact us here.