The "Genius" (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Naturalist Portrait of Art, Desire, Infidelity, and Ambition in Early Twentieth-Century AmericaBy Theodore Dreiser
Length34h 29m
About this audiobook
The "Genius" traces the rise, dispersion, and moral bewilderment of Eugene Witla, a gifted painter whose artistic hunger is inseparable from erotic appetite, social ambition, and commercial compromise. Dreiser's expansive naturalist method—documentary in detail, psychologically insistent, and often deliberately ungainly—places the artist novel within the modern realities of advertising, urban capitalism, and changing sexual codes. Published in 1915 and quickly attacked for obscenity, the book stands as a major American inquiry into whether genius can survive desire and the marketplace. Theodore Dreiser, one of the central figures of American literary naturalism, was shaped by poverty, journalism, and an acute awareness of social determinism. Like Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy, The "Genius" reflects his conviction that human beings are driven by forces—economic, biological, emotional—that exceed conventional moral judgment. Dreiser's own experiences in newspapers and magazines, and his fascination with artists and bohemian circles, clearly inform Eugene's world. This novel is recommended to readers interested in ambitious, unsettling fiction about art, sexuality, and modern American life. It rewards patience with a searching portrait of creative identity under pressure.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.9 (2K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon, StoryGraph
GenreGeneral Fiction, Literary Classics
Length34 hrs 29 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJun 17, 2018
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The "Genius" (Annotated)
26CHAPTER XIX
2Introduction
27CHAPTER XX
3Synopsis
28CHAPTER XXI
4Historical Context
29CHAPTER XXII
5Author Biography
30CHAPTER XXIII
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6The "Genius"
31CHAPTER XXIV
7BOOK I: YOUTH
32CHAPTER XXV
8CHAPTER I
33CHAPTER XXVI
9CHAPTER II
34CHAPTER XXVII
10CHAPTER III
35CHAPTER XXVIII
11CHAPTER IV
36BOOK II: THE STRUGGLE
12CHAPTER V
37CHAPTER I
13CHAPTER VI
38CHAPTER II
14CHAPTER VII
39CHAPTER III
15CHAPTER VIII
40CHAPTER IV
16CHAPTER IX
41CHAPTER V
17CHAPTER X
42CHAPTER VI
18CHAPTER XI
43CHAPTER VII
19CHAPTER XII
44CHAPTER VIII
20CHAPTER XIII
45CHAPTER IX
21CHAPTER XIV
46CHAPTER X
22CHAPTER XV
47CHAPTER XI
23CHAPTER XVI
48CHAPTER XII
24CHAPTER XVII
49CHAPTER XIII
25CHAPTER XVIII
50CHAPTER XIV
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