Perhaps An American Tragedy was so popular when it was published because its’ hero was from the bottom of society, not NYC upper class. It echoed more realistically with more people but was ultimately only a literary stepping stone in American readers’ understanding of the vapidity of materialism and the ugliness of social class. Too dated and too labored, Dreiser’s books don’t resonate now. Many of Wharton’s novels are still relevant and interesting to read in 2024 because the writing is so wonderful and the history and characters still recognizable now.
Perhaps An American Tragedy was so popular when it was published because its’ hero was from the bottom of society, not NYC upper class. It echoed more realistically with more people but was ultimately only a literary stepping stone in American readers’ understanding of the vapidity of materialism and the ugliness of social class. Too dated and too labored, Dreiser’s books don’t resonate now. Many of Wharton’s novels are still relevant and interesting to read in 2024 because the writing is so wonderful and the history and characters still recognizable now.
«I didn’t finish this book. Couldn’t do it.»
Me on ~page 200 of all books with multiple perspectives, when the perspective shifts to the boring character.