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McTeague: A Story of San Francisco
by
Frank Norris
Frank Norris' graphic portrayal of the seamy side of survival in turn-of-the-century urban America remains shocking and powerful today -and its conclusion just as harrowing.
Paperback, 228 pages
Published
November 28th 2006
by Echo Library
(first published 1899)
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Frank Norris was a master at painting emotions with words. The titular character is a man few would care to dine with, but Norris gets the reader to sympathize for him. You see, much like most writers circa late 19th to early 20th century, human nature was best explored through the environment of the characters (naturalism). In McTeague's case, he was an affluent dentist from San Franciso that falls in love with the wrong girl; some would argue that the wrong girl falls in love with McTeague....more
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This book has always amazed me because its content is dark but its descriptions are clear, rather than over-dramatized or gothic, like so much of late nineteenth century American and Victorian writing can be. It reminds me of the pared-down thrillers of today - like _American Psycho_. Norris normalizes anger and fear so that the reader sympathizes with McTeague, even as he/she is horrified by him. Pretty awesome for a text from 1899.
Interestingly, the film _Greed_(1924) was bas...more
Interestingly, the film _Greed_(1924) was bas...more
this is book that left the strongest impression on me of ones i've recently read. i loved it. it's about mcteague, a dim-witted dentist whose ambition in life is to display a giant gold tooth in front of his dental parlours on polk street (awesome! there actually was one in front of some sf dentist around then. check out this photo: http://americahurrah.com/SanFrancisco/18...) anyway, the main plotline is that trina, mcteague's wife, wins the lottery, and marcus, his best friend, becomes insanel...more
This book is filled with passion, hate, greed, love, violence, and horror. The words flow across the page and you feel all the passionate emotions of all the characters. Although Trina, McTeague, and Marcus are deeply flawed, you still care for them and are horrified by the decay of their relationships and their very souls.
I never quote passages in my reviews but I cannot resist:
"The people about the house and the clerks at the provision stores often remarked tha...more
I never quote passages in my reviews but I cannot resist:
"The people about the house and the clerks at the provision stores often remarked tha...more
Erik Graff
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Erik by:
Ms. Naden
Shelves:
literature
Doing a notice of Sinclair's The Jungle brought to mind Norris' McTeague, another good novel we were introduced to in high school English class. The teacher of American Literature was a "Miss Naden"--a rather unprepossessing woman. At the time, I thought of her as old. She was probably around thirty. At the time, I thought her nondescript. Retrospectively, she appears rather attractive. At the time, I would have rated her as an average teacher. I suppose she was in that her lectu...more
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Decent .. although quite depressing.
A novel of sadism and greed, full of anger, resentment, treachery. Norris is such a gifted writer who died so young. The descriptions of old California are engaging although this work falls short of his epic The Octopus. My key takeaways ... when McTeague's drinking graduates from beer to whiskey and he describes how much more potent distilled liquor is, well it's enough to put a lock on the hard booze cabinet and stick with sipping wine. And t...more
A novel of sadism and greed, full of anger, resentment, treachery. Norris is such a gifted writer who died so young. The descriptions of old California are engaging although this work falls short of his epic The Octopus. My key takeaways ... when McTeague's drinking graduates from beer to whiskey and he describes how much more potent distilled liquor is, well it's enough to put a lock on the hard booze cabinet and stick with sipping wine. And t...more
The tale is a bracing immersion in the language and material culture of turn of the 20th C. San Francisco. I would normally have trouble understanding how much of a windfall Trina Sieppe's 5,000$ would be in current dollars, but Norris' close attention to the acquisition and selling off of possessions kept me well up on the value of a dollar at the time.
The whole thing is sort of Zola in America, and maybe a touch of Hermann Broch in mood. Heck--it's a weird little book, and Jack London ...more
The whole thing is sort of Zola in America, and maybe a touch of Hermann Broch in mood. Heck--it's a weird little book, and Jack London ...more
Written at the turn of the twentieth century, this book by Frank Norris is written completely in the form of literary naturalism. As such, Norris' novel is a well-executed demonstration of the features of literary naturalism. Any weaknesses in the novel itself are a reflection of the entire genre.
The pace of the storytelling at the beginning of the novel is very slow by design. Descriptions of the characters' personal appearances, traits, and daily routines may seem overly drawn out to ...more
The pace of the storytelling at the beginning of the novel is very slow by design. Descriptions of the characters' personal appearances, traits, and daily routines may seem overly drawn out to ...more
Tyler
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone; Fans of Naturalism
Shelves:
19th-century
The naturalism of this dark tale compares to Sister Carrie, written about the same time. Now any fan of naturalism, such as I am, of course wants to find out what the "cult classic" designation means as well. But toward the end I couldn't decide if I really liked this book.
The naturalistic setup in the first part of the book seems overlong, the dismal end overly drawn out. But mostly, I can't connect with the lead character. The author's style gives us a character's exter...more
The naturalistic setup in the first part of the book seems overlong, the dismal end overly drawn out. But mostly, I can't connect with the lead character. The author's style gives us a character's exter...more
You can’t make small of me!!!
Surely this book is a classic more because of the impact it had when it first appeared, and because it was made into one of the very first Hollywood masterpieces, than because of any lasting appeal it may have for later readers.
If this is representative of naturalism at its best, naturalism is a tawdry affair compared to the realism of Flaubert or Balzac, or the naturalism (if that’s what it is) of De Maupassant. If this is the American Zola,...more
Surely this book is a classic more because of the impact it had when it first appeared, and because it was made into one of the very first Hollywood masterpieces, than because of any lasting appeal it may have for later readers.
If this is representative of naturalism at its best, naturalism is a tawdry affair compared to the realism of Flaubert or Balzac, or the naturalism (if that’s what it is) of De Maupassant. If this is the American Zola,...more
Oh, the joy of American dentistry.
It's not a half bad book, when you've spend a semester knee-deep in American Realism & Naturalism. But as far as classic literature goes, it just falls into the same pit as the rest of American literature, in my book. It has the dark edges, the bright core, and the callous-hands flavoring of the substance between--the American Dream, and all of the potential ways in which it can be derailed. McTeague becomes a dentist. People are jealous, he is u...more
It's not a half bad book, when you've spend a semester knee-deep in American Realism & Naturalism. But as far as classic literature goes, it just falls into the same pit as the rest of American literature, in my book. It has the dark edges, the bright core, and the callous-hands flavoring of the substance between--the American Dream, and all of the potential ways in which it can be derailed. McTeague becomes a dentist. People are jealous, he is u...more
Even if you've seen "Greed" still make a point to read this novel because it fills in tons of information that the movie didn't have time to cover. The book also contains disturbing images of perverse spousal abuse like when McTeague bites the flesh off his wife's fingers. I don't think Erich Von Stroheim had the stomach for that! Highly recommended.
I had seen the silent film masterpiece "Greed" in a partially restored version and was fascinated by the story of degradation and avarice. The film is a treasure and I knew the book would be equally enthralling.....and indeed it is. It moves very slowly but gave the author time to fully develop the characters and provide the reader with an understanding of their behavior....victims of their environment and the social order of the turn of the 20th century. The word picture of San Franci...more
The characters are generally flat. Their behavior isn't surprising, and their actions are sometimes infuriating in their simplicity. The bulk of the drama is forgettable. The writing is mostly simple and not exciting.
Despite this, there are places where this book REALLY shines. It was published in 1899 and holds up remarkably well. It reads easily and doesn't feel dated. There are moments where the writing is truly beautiful. The characters are interesting, despite their lack of dep...more
Despite this, there are places where this book REALLY shines. It was published in 1899 and holds up remarkably well. It reads easily and doesn't feel dated. There are moments where the writing is truly beautiful. The characters are interesting, despite their lack of dep...more
My college-aged sister gave me this to read when I was in H.S. I scanned the first few pages, and noticed that the book had been written in the late 19th century, and immediately concluded that this was going to be one boring, oh-so-proper tale of early San Francisco life. What I got instead was one of the heaviest tragic novels I have ever read.
Norris shows humanity in all of its sickness, its unredeemable ugliness, its inability to escape from its primitive, animalistic roots. The...more
Norris shows humanity in all of its sickness, its unredeemable ugliness, its inability to escape from its primitive, animalistic roots. The...more
Great, great, great book. There were many times last year I put off doing my homework until the last minute, but this I always made time for early. Schadenfreude? Not particularly. As much as many will tell you so, it isn't "so depressing blah blah". No, there is not a golden, happy ending. No, the characters aren't particularly likable, nor is the narrator. However, the story is told in an eerily gripping style, and the plot is full of small twists. When the world of literature is fil...more
This book caught my eye as it was supposed to be about "degradation" in turn of the century San Francisco. It started out slow, and didn't really pick up for me until about halfway through. Interesting characters, my favorites being Miss Baker and Mr. Grannis. These two older people seem content in their quiet love for each other (not known by the other and perhaps their selves)and their routine of each sitting in their rooms next to the wall that separates them. Trina, the wife of McT...more
Holy Crap! Look I'm writing a review, that rarely happens. I'll never catch up with my friend Manny, Lord knows I wouldn't want to. Ok, enough ranting and it's only the start of the review!
I read this book for an American Lit class that focused on the Realism and Naturalism movements, and McTeague was one of the first TRUE Naturalism novels that I have read. While I worked at an independent bookstore for three years I had always heard people talking about McTeague so I confess I was...more
I read this book for an American Lit class that focused on the Realism and Naturalism movements, and McTeague was one of the first TRUE Naturalism novels that I have read. While I worked at an independent bookstore for three years I had always heard people talking about McTeague so I confess I was...more
Tea: I think the few sips I've had are enough.
Overall, I bought this book from a recommendation from another author, and because its allegedly a "classic".
I started reading the story, about a dentist practicing in San Francisco, California in the late 1800's. I found myself completely at a loss as to what the purpose of the story was, added to a complete disconnection or interest in the main character. I plain, just didn't get it, not in any way, shape or form.
I was look...more
Overall, I bought this book from a recommendation from another author, and because its allegedly a "classic".
I started reading the story, about a dentist practicing in San Francisco, California in the late 1800's. I found myself completely at a loss as to what the purpose of the story was, added to a complete disconnection or interest in the main character. I plain, just didn't get it, not in any way, shape or form.
I was look...more
An excellent example of American naturalism, I've read this for two classes now and still like it (one person in this last class said the first 100 pages was kind of boring, yet easy to read). For a work published around the turn of the 20th century, the story seems astonishingly modern and relevant at times. The narrative follows the life of McTeague, a large, strong, and stupid dentist, who falls in love with his best friend's cousin. This love tears the two friends apart and brings about t...more
Before I began reading McTeague for my sophomore English class, I was annoyed by how long it was and anticipated a painful night of reading. I found it a little slow in its first few chapters, but I didn't mind because it was rather engaging.
As the book progressed, I couldn't put it down. This is probably one of the five best books I've ever read. It's absolutely amazing.
It's a thriller at a time when there weren't thrillers. This is realism at its best, and accurately portrays the u...more
As the book progressed, I couldn't put it down. This is probably one of the five best books I've ever read. It's absolutely amazing.
It's a thriller at a time when there weren't thrillers. This is realism at its best, and accurately portrays the u...more
A classic in American Realism, Norris was heavily influenced by Zola. This book is also the basis for the lost epic film, Greed, by Erich von Stroheim. The first Hollywood movie to be shot on location, including the northern CA mining region, SF, and Death Valley, which introduced a host of problems since the technology of the time was not prepared for filming in the desert heat. Nor were the cast and crew. Originally over 8 hours, it faithfully re-created every scene in the book, and while I h...more
I read this book basically because I was still looking for any tolerable Gilded Age novel and I wanted to read more about old San Francisco before I went there. It turned out to be fantastic.
It's the story of a dim-witted, lazy dentist in fin-de-siecle San Francisco and his lottery-winning wife. Not surprisingly, the lottery winnings become a source of envy and their entire apartment house on the skid-rowish Polk Street begins succumbing to greed.
While a good deal of ...more
It's the story of a dim-witted, lazy dentist in fin-de-siecle San Francisco and his lottery-winning wife. Not surprisingly, the lottery winnings become a source of envy and their entire apartment house on the skid-rowish Polk Street begins succumbing to greed.
While a good deal of ...more
Amazing book from 1899. One of the earliest examples of American realism (rebelling against the Victorian romanticism then prevalent in literature) with its direct, straight-forward writing style. I can imagine how shocking it was for its day....not a single likable character. Tells the story of a shady dentist and his greedy-to-the-point-of neurotic wife in 1890s San Francisco and how fate and their own character flaws impact their lives. The ending will stay with you for a while. Was made...more
It seems that one of the themes of naturalism is that all people are awful. Once again, this is a book in which most of the characters were pretty thoroughly unlikeable, which irks me on multiple levels. I also got annoyed with the heavy-handed themes and symbolism. And, on a smaller, more subjective note of personal taste, this book would have lost a star based purely on a the "eww" factor. The dentistry stuff was just gross, as was some of the violence. On the whole... not a fan. A...more
Ugh - what a chore.. and a bore. I had to quit. The book was creepy and weird. I could not force myself to keep reading it. Thankfully, this was a free download.
The book centers around McTeague (Mac). Mac is a man of big muscle and very little brain, how he is a dentist is beyond me --- I rather imagine him as more of a butcher, in all the descriptions of him. The rest of the characters are meh, just there, nothing exciting. Trina is a vapid little thing, Maria Macapa.. um, what is she...more
The book centers around McTeague (Mac). Mac is a man of big muscle and very little brain, how he is a dentist is beyond me --- I rather imagine him as more of a butcher, in all the descriptions of him. The rest of the characters are meh, just there, nothing exciting. Trina is a vapid little thing, Maria Macapa.. um, what is she...more
1899 novel set in San Francisco, by a novelist whose Naturalist style is a legacy of Hardy and Zola, and whose own American brand of pared down narrative would eventually influence Steinbeck and Hemingway. Not a bad portfolio. He died at age 32 in 1901.
McTeague is a brute. Norris presents him as such in keeping with a deep intellectual prejudice of the day when considering the plight of the underclass and it's offspring. He's a former miner who finds more refined employment as a self...more
McTeague is a brute. Norris presents him as such in keeping with a deep intellectual prejudice of the day when considering the plight of the underclass and it's offspring. He's a former miner who finds more refined employment as a self...more
I had a unique opportunity to read McTeague the Book right before seeing McTeague the Movie, aka Greed. I finished the book last night and haven't had a chance to watch the movie yet (hey, even the short version is four hours long), but I wanted to write out some brief thoughts anyway. I'll edit once I've seen the film.
First I will say that I enjoyed the book. I would have given it 3 1/2 stars overall if I could have, and 4 stars to Chapters 13-20. The story takes a while to get go...more
First I will say that I enjoyed the book. I would have given it 3 1/2 stars overall if I could have, and 4 stars to Chapters 13-20. The story takes a while to get go...more
McTeague is a fun read about a big oaf dentist. Norris is a really sensitive author with good emotional detail and a great sense of humor. It runs a bit slow sometime...lots of time spent with essentially nothing happening apart from hanging out with the strange inhabitants of McTeague's apartment building. Very similar to Dickens, same sense of humor but a slightly more modern sense of emotional innerworkings and a bit plainer more American verbage. Reminds me a lot of Confederacy of Dunces' Ig...more
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Benjamin Franklin Norris, Jr. was an American novelist, during the Progressive Era, writing predominantly in the naturalist genre. His notable works include McTeague (1899), The Octopus: A California Story (1901), and The Pit (1903). Although he did not openly support socialism as a political system, his work nevertheless evinces a socialist mentality and influenced socialist/progressive writers s...more
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