Jennie Gerhardt: A Novel

Theodore Dreiser

Jan 1911 · Boni and Liveright

About this eBook

Jennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United State Senator, who becomes infatuated with her. He helps her family and declares his wish to marry her. Jennie, grateful for his benevolence, agrees to sleep with him. He dies before they marry, and Jennie is pregnant. She gives birth to a daughter, Vesta, and moves to Cleveland with her mother. There she meets Lester Kane, a prosperous manufacturer's son, and their love must contend with continual dissaproval from his family.

Ratings and reviews

Dreiser at its best in describing the character. For most people it might definately seem dull and lacking any kind of action. Seems impossible that somebody could do such a great work at creating Jennie and developping her character, especially after having read the Financier and the Titan, where Frank Coperwood is an extremelly forcefull and powerful and diverse figure, whereas Jennie can simply be described as a kind, good hearted woman. Despite the fact that her life lacked action in the usual sense, it was full of emotion, feeling, grief. Something anybody can relate to.