An American Tragedy (Classicus Edition)

Theodore Dreiser

Summary

An American Tragedy is Theodore Dreiser’s searing exploration of ambition, desire, and moral collapse in early twentieth-century America. In this full and unabridged classic, Clyde Griffiths—a young man from a poor, religious family—dreams of escaping his humble origins for a life of wealth and social status. When he lands a job at a factory owned by wealthy relatives, Clyde glimpses the world he craves, only to become ensnared in a secret affair with Roberta Alden, a vulnerable coworker whose unexpected pregnancy threatens to destroy his carefully built ambitions.     As Clyde courts the glamorous Sondra Finchley and envisions a dazzling future, he is haunted by the consequences of his choices and the demands of a society that punishes weakness without mercy. Dreiser’s uncompromising narrative reaches its harrowing climax on a quiet lake, where desire and fear lead to tragedy. With stark realism and psychological depth, the novel exposes the dark undercurrents of the American Dream, showing how social pressures and personal failings intertwine to produce a truly American tragedy.     Published by Classicus, this definitive edition preserves every chilling detail of Dreiser’s masterwork. An American Tragedy remains one of the great novels of American literature, a timeless and unsettling portrait of class divisions, moral reckoning, and the cost of ruthless ambition. Perfect for readers who appreciate classic fiction with unflinching social critique and deeply human storytelling.

Available since: 06/30/2025.

Other books that might interest you

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Arthur Conan Doyle

Unravel the mystery of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" with this captivating audiobook by Arthur Conan Doyle. Set against the eerie backdrop of the English moors, this timeless tale follows the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville. 
As the duo delves deeper into the case, they encounter ancient curses, ghostly apparitions, and a legendary hound said to haunt the Baskerville family. With each twist and turn, Holmes and Watson race against time to uncover the truth behind the chilling legend and prevent further tragedy. 
Narrated with suspense and intrigue, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" immerses listeners in a thrilling world of deception, danger, and suspense. Conan Doyle's masterful storytelling and intricate plot twists keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the very end. 
Perfect for fans of mystery, suspense, and classic literature, this audiobook offers a riveting listening experience that will keep you guessing until the final chapter. 
So, if you're ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, start listening to "The Hound of the Baskervilles" today and experience the excitement of one of literature's greatest detectives. Start Listening to "The Hound of the Baskervilles" today!

Show book

Aega

La Sa Ra

Last Story in the Panchabhootha series - Anjali : Aega (Sky)

Show book

Inhabitant of Carcosa An

Ambrose Bierce

Title: An Inhabitant of Carcosa 
Author: Ambrose Bierce 
Narrator: Jonathan Dunne 
Original Publication: 1886 
Public Domain: Yes 
Series Placement: Number 46 in the Timeless Terrors series 
Description: 
An Inhabitant of Carcosa by Ambrose Bierce is a haunting vision of death, memory, and cosmic revelation. In a desolate landscape shrouded in silence, a lost soul named Hoseib wanders among ancient ruins, struggling to recall who he is and how he came to be there. As he journeys through the remnants of a forgotten civilization, a terrible truth emerges — he walks through the ruins of his own world, long dead and buried. 
Through its eerie stillness and philosophical depth, Bierce’s story anticipates the cosmic unease later explored by Chambers and Lovecraft. It is one of the earliest works to hint at a vast, indifferent universe — where death is not an ending, but an eternal realization. 
Narrated by Amazon bestselling horror author Jonathan Dunne, this performance captures the quiet terror and melancholy beauty of Bierce’s prose — the slow unveiling of mortality beneath a sky where even the stars seem mournful. While the text is in the public domain, this narration is an original performance and copyright © 2025 Jonathan Dunne. 
Part of Timeless Terrors, a series devoted to resurrecting the masters of the macabre and uncanny, An Inhabitant of Carcosa endures as a cornerstone of early cosmic horror — a whisper from the grave reminding us that the dead may still walk among the ruins.

Show book

Self Reliance and Other Essays

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a powerful call to individuality, self-trust, and nonconformity. In this timeless essay, Emerson urges readers to embrace their own instincts and inner wisdom rather than bowing to societal expectations. He argues that true fulfillment comes from self-expression and authenticity, not from seeking approval or following tradition. With vivid imagery and bold declarations, Emerson champions the idea that greatness lies in independence, courage, and the willingness to chart one’s own path—no matter how unconventional. Inspiring and thought-provoking, Self-Reliance remains a foundational text in American transcendentalism, encouraging readers to break free from external influences and trust in the power of their own minds. 
Essays included in this collection are:GiftsUses of Great MenSelf Reliance

Show book

Our English Watering-place...

Charles Dickens

Our English Watering-Place and Our French Watering-Place are short stories by Charles Dickens. Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most memorable fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. During his life, his works enjoyed unprecedented fame, and by the twentieth century his literary genius was broadly acknowledged by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to be widely popular.

Show book

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

F. Scott Fitzgerald

"He was a baby of some seventy years... and he was born in a crib."

In 1860 Baltimore, the prominent Button family is scandalized when their newborn son arrives not as a soft-skinned infant, but as a seventy-year-old man with a long white beard and a stooped back. So begins the extraordinary life of Benjamin Button—a man destined to grow younger as the world grows older. Fitzgerald tracks Benjamin's reverse journey through the shifting landscape of American history, from the Civil War to the glittering Jazz Age, as he navigates the complexities of love, fatherhood, and a social order that has no place for a man out of time.

A Masterpiece of Social Satire: While often remembered for its fantastical premise, Benjamin Button is a sharp-witted critique of the rigidity of high society. Fitzgerald uses Benjamin's condition to expose the absurdities of social expectations, fashion, and the obsession with "appropriate" behavior. It is a story where the tragedy lies not in the supernatural, but in the human inability to accept what is different.

The Heartbreak of Out of Sync Love: The emotional core of the story is Benjamin's relationship with Hildegarde Moncrief. For a brief, shining moment, their ages meet in the middle, allowing for a fleeting period of conventional happiness. But as she ages into the autumn of her life, Benjamin continues his descent into the spring of his, leading to a poignant and inevitable separation that serves as a metaphor for the universal experience of growing apart.

Witness a life lived against the clock. Purchase "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" today and experience Fitzgerald's most inventive tale.

Show book