The Best Short Stories of Theodore Dreiser

by Theodore Dreiser, James T. Farrell (Introduction)

the book is in a very good condition, looks like new.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, 20th Century, The United States Of America, American, Literature, Fiction

349 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Naturalistic novels of American writer and editor Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser portray life as a struggle against ungovernable forces. Value of his portrayed characters lies in their persistence against all obstacles, not their moral code, and literary situations more closely resemble studies of nature than tales of choice and agency; this American novelist and journalist so pioneered the naturalist school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore...

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

One loses track of time while reading Dreiser's stories, as he takes you to far-off places you've never been - or he draws you into a story about people that you feel you almost know, and you feel a bit queazy about hearing all the details. I gave up in the middle of one of them when a farm couple was obviously going to be swindled, as I felt so sorry for them that I didn't want to know all the details. "Free" an account of a man sorting through his feelings about his wife dying, and "Marriage - for One" both plumb the minds of men caught up in marriages that didn't work out. "Khat", a story of a man so broke that he can't afford even one leaf of it, takes you to the coast of the Red Sea and there's an improvisation of a classic oriental tale in "The Prince Who Was a Thief", that takes place in Yemen. You finish them thinking that you've been there. I'll have to read more Dreiser.

[Esther Ben-Koheleth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most influential short stories ever. Enjoyed every part of it.

[Gisselle Moyano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro hecho por un genio. Cada historia es un desplante de inteligencia y belleza. El autor no sólo es capaz de crear historias divertidas que parecen cuentos, sino que también puede representar la mente de un hombre de manera compleja y realista. El autor tiene un talento impresionante para representar la mentalidad del ser humano; haciendo así que cada historia sea una experiencia enriquecedora para la mente y el alma. En cada historia sentí que el autor tocaba alguna fibra sensible de mi propio interior; era como si el autor mismo me abraza y me dijera: “Está bien, todos tenemos problemas. El hecho de sentir odio, rencor, o el tener sentimientos negativos hacia personas que amas no te hace un monstruo. La experiencia humana es compleja, y todos tenemos que enfrentar esos demonios a veces. Y a veces los demonios ganan. Y es que nadie puede ser siempre fuerte.”
Hay varias historias que representan la psiquis humana de forma tan real que, a mí misma, me hizo sentirme avergonzada, adolorida y aliviada a la vez. El autor deja de lado toda visión idealista de la vida, y la representa con toda su crudeza y su complejidad. Antes de leer este libro no conocía nada del autor, pero después de haber leído semejante obra de arte me declaro completamente fan suya. Se nota que el escritor no posee solamente un gran conocimiento de la mentalidad humana, sino que también tiene el talento suficiente para transformar este conocimiento en historias que representen la complejidad de la experiencia humana. Es increíble que historias tan cortas sean a la vez tan complejas y llenas de significado. La cantidad inmensa de psicología humana presente en las historias hace que el lector se sienta identificado, haciendo así que las historias tengan gran efecto en él.
Insisto, este libro es una verdadera obra de arte escrita por un hombre sabio y hábil. No cabe duda alguna de que el haber leído este libro es una experiencia que jamás olvidaré.

[Anatoly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mayor and His People by Theodore Dreiser

The story “A Mayor and His People” by Theodore Dreiser reminds us of the current situation in political life of one very developed country.

It is sad that people have a bad memory for good deeds. What happened with the new mayor in this story and how his work affected the city, readers can know after reading this short story.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/...

[Mary Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Theodore Dreiser because he wrote in the earlier part of the century before and just after WWI so he has a contemporary viewpoint. His best book in my opinion is An American Tragedy written in
the early 1920's. He also wrote Sister Carrie. You get a good look at what life was like in those times.

[Trilby O'Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Shadow
Marriage---For One

[Jeanne M. Umland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the saddest human interest stories I have ever read. Not for the faint of heart.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best cover photo ever! Some great short stories as well. The ones about ant wars and prospeckin' are the best of the best.

[Mihran Kalaydjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is indeed one of greatest detailed and best book to read..

[Alison Winfield-Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes.