Sister CarrieSister Carrie
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1889, eighteen-year-old Caroline Meeber leaves her small Wisconsin town for Chicago, hungry for pretty things and a better life. She becomes the mistress of a charming traveling salesman, then of George Hurstwood, a respected married man who steals money from his employer and runs away with her to New York. As Carrie rises to fame on the stage, Hurstwood sinks.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Modern Library list of the best novels. It was considered scandalous because Carrie isn't punished for her choices.
You'll love it if you liked
An American Tragedy
The House of Mirth
The Age of InnocenceGood to know
It's long, with a heavy, plain style. Hurstwood's decline is painful.
By the numbers
- Readers9 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller16 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
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Moving
More by Theodore Dreiser
If you like this, read next
Lonesome Dove
Pride and Prejudice
Sophie's Choice
Rebecca
The Brothers Karamazov
The Thorn BirdsExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Sister Carrie worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Modern Library list of the best novels. It ranks #1,905 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Sister Carrie about?
In 1889, eighteen-year-old Caroline Meeber leaves her small Wisconsin town for Chicago, hungry for pretty things and a better life. She becomes the mistress of a charming traveling salesman, then of George Hurstwood, a respected married man who steals money from his employer and runs away with her to New York. As Carrie rises to fame on the stage, Hurstwood sinks.
How long does it take to read Sister Carrie?
About 13 hours (534 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Sister Carrie?
If you liked it, try An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton or The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.