There aren't many classical books which I become entranced with, without having to struggle through pages, trying to finish the book. But this was one of the few. And this is the first book I read without skipping paragraphs, finding them a drag to read. Each paragraph rendered my jaws to drop with amazement at how wonderfully it was written. As I read, I'd constantly say to myself "wow"--it really is "wow," because Dreiser expressed the human emotion so well, that I felt as if I were reading about myself. I love George Hurstwood, and hated Carrie--but she was so human...so selfish...so passive like so many other humans of this world. This book reminded me greatly of "Gone with the Wind." My only disappointment was that the lacking in romance. Anyways, this is a MUST read!!!!