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goroshyna's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Чомусь цей роман проситься в один ряд з «Містом» Підмогильного та «Любим другом» Мопассана в тому сенсі, що обоє на шляху до життєвого успіху переходять від однієї жінки до іншої. Тим не менш «Американська трагедія» має набагато більш релігійний і повчальний тон.
На перших сторінках Драйзер робив ухил більше в описування характерів персонажів, ніж у їхню демонстрацію, хоча згодом усе ж розкачався та заглибився в психологізм. Напевно, найбільше мені сподобалася сцена, коли Клайд і Роберта їдуть у поїзді: на додачу до того, що їхні думки подаються паралельно, вони також перемежовуються моментами, коли хтось із них звертає увагу на деталі пейзажу за вікном.
Звичайно, найбільш захопливою для мене була частина з переслідуванням і допитом Клайда поліцією. А от суд і подальші події тяглися надто довго, як на мене. Виявляється, сюжет заснований на реальних подіях!
Думаю, цілком можливо було скоротити книжку на сотню або дві сторінок. Повчальний тон мені теж не імпонував. Якщо Драйзер був атеїстом, цікаво, для чого він ввів такий потужний релігійний елемент у роман?
На перших сторінках Драйзер робив ухил більше в описування характерів персонажів, ніж у їхню демонстрацію, хоча згодом усе ж розкачався та заглибився в психологізм. Напевно, найбільше мені сподобалася сцена, коли Клайд і Роберта їдуть у поїзді: на додачу до того, що їхні думки подаються паралельно, вони також перемежовуються моментами, коли хтось із них звертає увагу на деталі пейзажу за вікном.
Звичайно, найбільш захопливою для мене була частина з переслідуванням і допитом Клайда поліцією. А от суд і подальші події тяглися надто довго, як на мене. Виявляється, сюжет заснований на реальних подіях!
Думаю, цілком можливо було скоротити книжку на сотню або дві сторінок. Повчальний тон мені теж не імпонував. Якщо Драйзер був атеїстом, цікаво, для чого він ввів такий потужний релігійний елемент у роман?
vayeate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Truly tragic....I enjoyed this story about Clyde. His intensions to do good by himself, to become somebody, to be important. Him deciding to work and earn a position for himself trough hard work, because others did just that and succeeded. And then actually viewing how upon contact with life and all of it's intricacies his plans fell apart, how he set new goals and have they failed. How wanting something better drove Clyde...well basically to madness.
catbraganza's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite all time books. I've read it several times and love it each time.
knittingnutmeg's review against another edition
4.0
I'm stunned that it took me so long to read this because I couldn't put it down by the 2/3 of the book. An American Tragedy is based on the murder of Grace Brown in 1906 and the subsequent trial of her murder. I'm hesitant to give too much away for fear of spoiling the novel so I'll try to be vague.
An American Tragedy is the story of Clyde Griffiths. It begins in Kansas City where we meet his poor, religious family and his parents who have been more concerned with proselytizing rather than preparing their children for life as adults. What you have is a young man wanting more from life without knowing how to get it. And Clyde seems to be constantly chasing people in an effort to have affection. It's a scenario that is bound to end in disaster.
Dreiser spents a huge amount of time delving into the minds of his characters. Sometimes you may wish he hadn't. But Dreiser's characters are so well developed that you find yourself feeling the emotional ups and downs they do. The result is feeling a strong connection with the characters in this novel. And having a strong opinion of Clyde.
An American Tragedy is the story of Clyde Griffiths. It begins in Kansas City where we meet his poor, religious family and his parents who have been more concerned with proselytizing rather than preparing their children for life as adults. What you have is a young man wanting more from life without knowing how to get it. And Clyde seems to be constantly chasing people in an effort to have affection. It's a scenario that is bound to end in disaster.
Dreiser spents a huge amount of time delving into the minds of his characters. Sometimes you may wish he hadn't. But Dreiser's characters are so well developed that you find yourself feeling the emotional ups and downs they do. The result is feeling a strong connection with the characters in this novel. And having a strong opinion of Clyde.
oysterkatcher's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Long, tedious, boring, and ultimately a waste of my time; I read this as it was the inspiration for a movie (that I may or may not find the drive to watch any time soon) and I regret it. I can see the appeal in the story, probably a bit less sensational to modern day readers with the flood of "true crime" content nowadays, but I found the writing style a yawn and the main character Clyde particularly detestable. Another classic novel where men use and abandon women, and for this character the "justice" doesn't feel like justice at all.
elinakd's review against another edition
2.0
I did not enjoy this book, but kept reading to see how it ended. I found it quite repetitive and hard to get through, and it took me a really long time to finish. Almost wish I hadn't picked it up.
academichustler's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shutter_chaos's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most depressing books I've ever read, but I loved it. I couldn't put it down. Just be prepared to be depressed for a few days after reading this, the title is no joke.
read_all_nite's review against another edition
4.0
This is a razorblade of a book, a well-honed, sharp and painful read.
rudexgrrl's review against another edition
This was my before bed book because it put me to sleeeeeep