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Theodore Dreiser
Now an abridged edition of two highly acclaimed volumes Praise for Theodore At the Gates of the City, 1871–1907 "Dreiser’s life has never been more vividly told. Lingeman’s definitive book reveals the tough, uncompromising impulse that led Dreiser, disdaining style, to slug with such knockout power." —Studs Terkel "Scrupulously, massively—devotedly—constructed; everything is in it. And it is immaculately rendered." —Cynthia Ozick The New York Times Book Review "An intimate and revealing portrait…a solid, honorable and perceptive book." —Jonathan Yardley The Washington Post Book World "A remarkable book packed with vivid reminiscences, personal anecdotes and thorough research that brings Dreiser’s prodigious, moving story, his turbulent era and the man himself truly alive." —Don Skiles San Francisco Chronicle Praise for Theodore An American Journey, 1908–1945 Chicago Sun-Times Book of the Year, 1990 "A fascinating documentation of the most troubled life led by any important modern American writer." —Alfred Kazin The New York Times Book Review "It is hard to imagine that anything new or different will be said about Dreiser for a long time to come. Whatever a definitive biography may be, this is surely it." —Charles Fecher Chicago Tribune
680 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 9, 2024
A fine concluding volume to a life of chaos, writing, political activity, sex addiction, success, travel, and movement. Dreiser didn't put out a novel for about 20 years after An American Tragedy, and it's an open question whether what he did produce in other genres during that time was of consequence.
Lingeman does a fine job discussing the books and the torturous life Dreiser inflicted on himself, and on the various people he befriended, fell away from, seduced, and argued with. One lesson: never get involved in politics, it only detracts from the time spent living. Both volumes of this Life are recommended.
Lingeman does a fine job discussing the books and the torturous life Dreiser inflicted on himself, and on the various people he befriended, fell away from, seduced, and argued with. One lesson: never get involved in politics, it only detracts from the time spent living. Both volumes of this Life are recommended.
October 17, 2019
Hm: it’s an autobiography. Dreiser’s life & times. Oddly I never read a single work of his. His name popped up in my readings about American history in 20th century. So I had not the field of familiarity to adequately appreciate this very long and detailed account of his life’s activities. Nonetheless his contributions are clearly manifest in the reception and study of his novels & literary works.
The book moves like a slow meandering river. His household, education, infirmities & incapacity, then his journalism, observations, articles, connections and acquaintances, on to his hard times, through to his success, rising star, the reception of his major novels after the struggles to publish them, and his several affairs, finishing with the latter decades of his interesting life. I took from this an understanding of a (Caucasian) man who lived for realism in an America ruled by a small group of rich capitalists. For the students one can mention the atmosphere of literature moving away from prudence and Victorian correctness to liberal expressions on sexuality, finance and social theories. Dreiser wasn’t poor compared to the many other walks of life which people tread. He had parents, wasn’t avoided or reacted to by his skin color or ethnic background (though his German ancestry did turn problematic), his education was substantial, and there were friends and neighbors who did hold some range of access to upper classes and elite circles. What he did struggle with were “momma’s boy” tendencies, a meek physicality, a bum eye, and some neuroses that caused pride & heightened dignity to manifest in his dealings with associates.
I personally found it hard to read about the man’s life regarding women. In all spheres I couldn’t help but think of this long-dead man as lecherous and ridiculously lascivious. But this is telling of the change in mores. His pictures show an unattractive man yet apparently women flocked to him especially after success came. It’s always hard to realize the unfaithfulness in most men. Dreiser was by modern standards very much a womanizer: the young secretary, the adoring, the adulating, the ambitious or aspiring, the editor or hired hand, this man’s lust mingled throughout all those corners. Main women were: Jug, Marguerite, and Helen, all of whom fought for him and tolerated him sleeping and banging and horn-dogging away. Can’t understand this even though I know he was somewhat famous with money, and that life for women during those periods was quite different. It was like he was their job for which they so desperately intended to keep.
Also took from this book a sincere respect for writers, novelists, journalists (& photographers), essayists, professors of literature. It took time for his first material to gain a vantage. One also sees the intertwining of his own life and his own stories. Not much is historically purposed from the author (Lingemann) because it is, after all, an autobiography of one man. So there are only glimpses of the Depression, WWI, etc.
It’s no quick read! Not sure what kept me going. I don’t have anything admirable to express for him save the pique of interest to actually read some of the novels he wrote. He may have held noble sentiments regarding social disparities but was not a noble man. Too much infidelity. His views on religion, Hitler Germany v. privileged England, the Jewish question, race (his brother performing black-face), his meager interaction with other groups or classes limited the degree of his perception of the more inveterate problems (suffrage of women; civil rights for blacks; and the absence of any yearning toward a God of justice save the final months of his life). I guess I’d have liked to come out of this book reflecting on what an honorable and great personage he was but instead I am thinking about old couples holding hands after decades of marriage and commitment to one another (Dreiser had two women fighting at his funeral!). This book is mainly for those familiar with literature and the works inspired by his mind. It has analysis and is replete in detail & trivia. What Dreiser said to that person, or where he was before he wrote that book, or who said what to him, or how they responded, in which newspaper or journal, etc.
The book moves like a slow meandering river. His household, education, infirmities & incapacity, then his journalism, observations, articles, connections and acquaintances, on to his hard times, through to his success, rising star, the reception of his major novels after the struggles to publish them, and his several affairs, finishing with the latter decades of his interesting life. I took from this an understanding of a (Caucasian) man who lived for realism in an America ruled by a small group of rich capitalists. For the students one can mention the atmosphere of literature moving away from prudence and Victorian correctness to liberal expressions on sexuality, finance and social theories. Dreiser wasn’t poor compared to the many other walks of life which people tread. He had parents, wasn’t avoided or reacted to by his skin color or ethnic background (though his German ancestry did turn problematic), his education was substantial, and there were friends and neighbors who did hold some range of access to upper classes and elite circles. What he did struggle with were “momma’s boy” tendencies, a meek physicality, a bum eye, and some neuroses that caused pride & heightened dignity to manifest in his dealings with associates.
I personally found it hard to read about the man’s life regarding women. In all spheres I couldn’t help but think of this long-dead man as lecherous and ridiculously lascivious. But this is telling of the change in mores. His pictures show an unattractive man yet apparently women flocked to him especially after success came. It’s always hard to realize the unfaithfulness in most men. Dreiser was by modern standards very much a womanizer: the young secretary, the adoring, the adulating, the ambitious or aspiring, the editor or hired hand, this man’s lust mingled throughout all those corners. Main women were: Jug, Marguerite, and Helen, all of whom fought for him and tolerated him sleeping and banging and horn-dogging away. Can’t understand this even though I know he was somewhat famous with money, and that life for women during those periods was quite different. It was like he was their job for which they so desperately intended to keep.
Also took from this book a sincere respect for writers, novelists, journalists (& photographers), essayists, professors of literature. It took time for his first material to gain a vantage. One also sees the intertwining of his own life and his own stories. Not much is historically purposed from the author (Lingemann) because it is, after all, an autobiography of one man. So there are only glimpses of the Depression, WWI, etc.
It’s no quick read! Not sure what kept me going. I don’t have anything admirable to express for him save the pique of interest to actually read some of the novels he wrote. He may have held noble sentiments regarding social disparities but was not a noble man. Too much infidelity. His views on religion, Hitler Germany v. privileged England, the Jewish question, race (his brother performing black-face), his meager interaction with other groups or classes limited the degree of his perception of the more inveterate problems (suffrage of women; civil rights for blacks; and the absence of any yearning toward a God of justice save the final months of his life). I guess I’d have liked to come out of this book reflecting on what an honorable and great personage he was but instead I am thinking about old couples holding hands after decades of marriage and commitment to one another (Dreiser had two women fighting at his funeral!). This book is mainly for those familiar with literature and the works inspired by his mind. It has analysis and is replete in detail & trivia. What Dreiser said to that person, or where he was before he wrote that book, or who said what to him, or how they responded, in which newspaper or journal, etc.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews