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American Tragedy 70%

Clyde, trying to climb the social ladder, being pulled down by Roberta's pregnancy.  Fails in all ways to "handle" the pregnancy. Sondra more enamored with Clyde all the time.  He decides to be rid of Roberta after reading of the drowning of a couple in Pittsfield. He plans the perfect crime--and it's riddled with problems.  He "sort of" does Roberta in--part accident, part murder--and is quickly identified and then arrested.

Dreiser as newspaper reporter--there is an element that feels based on an actual crime.  The bumbling self-deception.  Dreiser as windbag--many scenes are great, but need to be edited. I could turn this into a 500 page book that is better than this 1000 page novel.

Social distinctions are wonderfully described.  Sondra loving sports at least partly because she likes to dress in a bunch of different outfits.

Politics:  the murder gives the D.A. a chance to shine in an election year, and he is eager to turn the trial to his advantage.

Clyde sympathetic?  Occasionally, but for great sections he seems like a coward and a cad.

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