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Title: McTeague by Frank Norris, Carvel Collins ISBN: 0-03-009250-7 Publisher: International Thomson Publishing Pub. Date: November, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $30.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.25 (40 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: A contemporary American tragedy that draws you in.
Comment: McTeague is a tragedy, though not quite on par with the Greek and Shakespearean tragedies, is certainly worthy of praise. The author does a splendid job of vibrantly describing settings and characters. The characters are ones that you feel for and sympathize with as they all have their own tragic situations. Norris takes you through a rollercoaster as the characters in the book each have their highs and lows. Ultimately, McTeague, is more than just a story about mid-19th century California, but rather of the darker side of man himself. The evil qualities of man, such as lust and greed, are depicted in the book as well as the consequences of such qualities. Although McTeague starts of slowly at first, the novel sucks you in quickly and doesn't let go.

Rating: 4
Summary: Remarkable in its Detail; Entertaining
Comment: Norris's "McTeague" is a wonderfully detailed account of the city of San Francisco in the early 20th century. His vivid descriptions placed me in the heart of the action of the novel: I could hear the trundling of the cable cars as they passed McTeague's "Dental Parlors"; I could feel the cool Pacific gusts on my face as McTeague fished near the the huge rocks to the west of Lincoln Park; I could smell the stale tobacco smoke and steaming beer as McTeague settled down to his afternoon snooze. If nothing else, "McTeague" is of historical importance. Norris makes a motion picture of San Francisco after the turn of the century and then shows it to the reader with words instead of pixels.

The novel is captivating. As the novel progresses, the beast within McTeague continues to emerge. His evolution sets a trap, inviting you to anticipate his next move and compelling you to read on to see if you are right. Norris thrilled me with all the adrenaline-pumping gore--I was frightened and disgusted but powerless not to continue. The ironic fight-to-the-death ending, although unrealistic, is enjoyable as well.

Rating: 4
Summary: San Francisco's Greed
Comment: McTeague is Frank Norris's first novel and was published in 1899. It is the tragic story of a man who practices dentistry without a license and marries a girl who won $5000 in a lottery but keeps it all to herself. The first few years of their marriage are pleasant; the only negative thing is that his friendship with Marcus is over. He wanted to marry Trina, McTeague's wife and Marcus' niece, but did not get her. He tells the authorities and then the life of Trina and McTeague goes down. Without ever using money of the $5000 McTeague loses his practice and they grow apart. He starts hitting and abusing her and in the end does the most horrible thing. First she is maimed, later killed. McTeague flees and in off all places Death Valley meets Marcus again. Things can now be settled once and for all..

The book, though over a century old, is still very readable. The main theme seems to be greed, in fact a movie was made long ago called Greed, based on this novel. Set in San Francisco everyone is greedy and people even kill for money, everyone is suspicious that they are keeping secrets and are not telling everyone about the money they really possess. Greed leeds in the end to death. Also in Death Valley...