53 pages 1 hour read

Theodore Dreiser

Sister Carrie

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1900

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser follows 18-year-old Caroline Meeber's journey from her small-town home to the bustling city of Chicago in search of success and happiness. She encounters Charles Drouet and George Hurstwood, who influence her path as she navigates the harsh realities of urban life, grappling with issues of materialism, ambition, and the evolving role of women in 19th-century America. This book includes themes of illness, depression, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie receives praise for its realistic portrayal of urban American life and complex characters, especially Carrie’s multifaceted evolution. Some readers appreciate its candid exploration of ambition and societal constraints. However, criticisms highlight its dense narrative and occasional moral ambiguity. Dreiser's style can be perceived as both a strength and a challenge.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sister Carrie?

Readers who enjoy detailed character development, realism, and exploration of urban life's moral complexities would appreciate Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie. This novel appeals to fans of works like Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

American Literature

Topics

Gender / Feminism

Education

History: World

Themes

Society: Class

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Period

Naturalism