monumental crime and punishment

You will need all your stamina to get through this. Not for the faint hearted

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Masterful, but depressing

There;s a reason this is a classic. It's beautifully and masterfully written.

Even though it was written in 1925 (almost a hundred years ago) it doesn't sound dated and the story could be set in modern day with only a few minor tweaks. Which says a lot about people.

But it is very long and very depressing. I think it works splendidly as an audiobook and the narration is top tier.

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please PLEASE edit the writing

loved the narration, but the writing, the constant, unnecessary use of present participles is unbearable

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The Title Says it All

A book which lays bare the American Dream. The burning desire of a young man for riches, beauty, status and love must surely end badly. His pursuit of the Dream is haphazard but he is dealt a unique opportunity by distant family connections. Weak and indecisive, but possessed of an uncontrollable drive to escape poverty and humiliation, Clyde Griffiths follows the family connection to reveal a world of money, culture and power. Intrigue is bedfellow to this society and Clyde is doomed by a fatal attraction to the beautiful and effervescent Sondra Finchley. Though his pursuit of the high society socialite is surely fruitless, the fatal entanglement is sewn by his philandering with Roberta Alden, a poor, pretty and pious girl whose innocence is taken by the feckless Clyde. Roberta is pregnant just when Clyde seems to have captured the heart of Sondra. Clyde must escape Roberta's demand for marriage, but, as Dreiser asks often, 'how to do?'

Clyde is driven to consider murder. As with all his affairs, Clyde's planning and execution is shambolic. Roberta is drowned, even Clyde is unsure whether he actually killed her. Clyde will stand trial, the death penalty awaits. It is no concern of his lawyers whether Clyde is guilty or not. Belknap wants only a judgeship and will do whatever it takes to get it. Likewise, the prosecuting lawyer, Mason. Whether Clyde escapes the Chair or not, the cynicism of American society, where money talks but rarely honestly, is perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the book. Dreiser's style can be dry bordering on the turgid but beneath the heavy prose is a story which needed to be told.

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Marathon Masterpiece

The narration is incredible, he really is skilled when it comes to switching voices subtly and swiftly. Certain female voices (e.g. Roberta's) are rather annoying though, in my humble opinion.

The author's phrasing is very interesting. Paying close attention to every word is a joy.

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1 person found this helpful

Literature at its very best; and wonderfully narrated

I listen to lots of audio books and would put this at the very top! Wonderfully narrated.

In terms of content, I was astonished to learn that it was written in the 1920s given the manner in which the author handles the plot and the inner thoughts and feelings of the principal characters. The court scenes are exceptionally detailed and make for difficult listening.

Feel ashamed I hadn’t heard of the author prior to picking up this title. As others have said, it is a classic of American literature and deserves all the plaudits it has gained over the last century! I note it was even made into an opera.

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Brilliant narration

Over 30 hours of a great novel, narrated so well I became addicted to the vibrant characters. Highly recommend.

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