An American TragedyAn American Tragedy
Score Classic
What it's about
Clyde Griffiths, the restless son of poor street preachers in Kansas City, wants money, status and beautiful things. He gets a job at his rich uncle's factory in New York State and begins a secret affair with a factory girl, Roberta. Then he catches the eye of a wealthy young woman who could give him everything he wants, just as Roberta tells him she's pregnant.
Why it's worth reading
It's on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. Based on a real 1906 murder case, it's a powerful study of ambition and the American dream.
You'll love it if you liked
The Great Gatsby
The Executioner's Song
In Cold BloodGood to know
It's very long and written in a heavy, plain style. The trial takes up much of the last third.
By the numbers
- Readers40 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller15 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #111 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #306 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1003 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Moving
More by Theodore Dreiser
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Rebecca
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The Woman in White
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Quick answers
Is An American Tragedy worth reading?
Yes. It's on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. It ranks #1,003 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is An American Tragedy about?
Clyde Griffiths, the restless son of poor street preachers in Kansas City, wants money, status and beautiful things. He gets a job at his rich uncle's factory in New York State and begins a secret affair with a factory girl, Roberta. Then he catches the eye of a wealthy young woman who could give him everything he wants, just as Roberta tells him she's pregnant.
How long does it take to read An American Tragedy?
About 13 hours (502 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after An American Tragedy?
If you liked it, try The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer or In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.