An American Tragedy Library binding - 1990

Name: An American Tragedy
Price: 40.42 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Theodore Dreiser
ISBN: 9780899667096

by Theodore Dreiser

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About this book

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser fictionalizes a famous murder that happened in the 1906 murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette. His version tells the story of Clyde Griffiths, a confused and irresponsible young man. Clyde uses his position as supervisor to take advantage of a young woman, Roberta, who has fallen in love with him. Clyde falls in love with another woman, Sondra, who could provide him an entrance to society. Robert becomes pregnant, and after failing to get her an abortion, Clyde schemes to murder her when she insists on marrying him. Clyde is arrested, tried, and ultimately executed. Time magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005 list, and it is considered a classic of American crime fiction.

Summary

The classic depiction of the harsh realities of American life, the dark side of the American Dream, and one man's doomed pursuit of love and success..."Mr. Dreiser is not imitative and belongs to no school. He is at heart a mysticist and a fatalist, though using the realistic method. He is, on the evidence of this novel alone, a power." --The New York Times Book Review

From the publisher

On one level, An American Tragedy, the story of the corruption and destruction of one man, Clyde Griffiths, who forfeits his life in desperate pursuit of success. On a deeper, more profound level, however, the novel represents a massive portrayal of the society whose values both shape Clyde's tawdry ambitions and seal his fate: it is an unsurpassed depiction of the harsh realities of American life and of the dark side of the American Dream. Extraordinary in scope and power, vivid in its sense of wholesale human waste, unceasing in its rich compassion, An American Tragedy stands as the supreme achievement of a writer who ranks, in the worlds of Irving Howe, among the American giants, one of the very few American giants we have had.

First line

DUSK-of a summer night.

First Edition Identification

The first edition was released by Boni & Liveright at the end of 1925 in 2 volumes with a slipcase. The general trade release was quickly followed by a a signed, limited edition of 795 copies in 1926. Signed first editions in good condition can range in price between $2000 and $4000. Common defects include wear and darkening to the slipcase and cover, a missing slipcase, missing panels, and age-tanning evident on the pages. This work is Dreiser's most recognized book, and remains prized by collectors around the world.