
I just finished "An American Tragedy". I had been saving it, wanting to read some of his earlier books first. While I am still processing what to think about it and want to rereview the context of his choosing and writing the story (Loving write at length about it) I can say that it was certainly interesting reading it during current elevation of sexual harassment and assault storylines in the news 100 years later. I suspect this book will not age well in the 21st Century because Clyde will be an even less sympathetic character than he was even intended to be and it's original commentary on society will be less relatable as we are so far removed from that time.

The Ephemeral New York blog posted quotes from Dreiser describing tenement life during Christmastime in 1894.
https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.co...

There have been a few biographies of Theodore Dreiser, including partially credible autobiographical accounts. I particularly enjoyed and recommend Jerome Loving's "The Last Titan"

Discussion of Dreiser's many short stories, including Chains, Rub a Dub Dub, Twelve Men, and others published in magazines or as collections. I have not read much of his shorter works but plan to dig in in 2018. I expect these to be even more biting of social commentary and probably difficult to read his increasing racist and communist sympathies over his life.

Discussion of "The 'Genius'", Dreiser's semi-autobiographical novel. I have not yet read this book, but it is covered in detail in Jerome Loving's "The Last Titan"

Discussion of The Bulwark, Dreiser's novel of a Quaker family in New Jersey in the early 1900s. It took him many years to complete this novel, with multiple changes in publishers and people assisting him in editing. There is a distinct change in the narrative halfway through, but I still find it an interesting read. As in his other books, Dreiser is applying the changing influences of early 20th Century society on a character, but in this case a Quaker so that the contrast with the older, traditional religious influences is more apparent. As you learn more about Dreiser's own development and change in thinking, you can see the transition in this book and can identify when he likely wrote different parts.

Discussion of the first book in the Trilogy of Desire about Frank Cowperwood, who was based on the real life story of 19th Century Charles Yerkes. This might be my favorite Dreiser novel.

Discussion on the second book in the Trilogy of Desire about Frank Cowperwood.

Discussion of the third book in the Trilogy of Desire about Frank Cowperwood. I have not read this book, yet.

Discussion of Dreiser's second novel and follow up to Sister Carrie.

Discussion of Dreiser's classic, American Tragedy.

Discussion of Sister Carrie, Dreiser's first and arguably best novel.