Engaging Dreiser

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Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945), a key figure in American Naturalism and cultural life, has seen a resurgence of academic interest over the past thirty years. This revival, sparked by Richard Lingeman's comprehensive biography and supported by The Dreiser Edition, has led to a wealth of new scholarship. This volume gathers essays from a prominent international Dreiser scholar, Renate von Bardeleben, who has published on Dreiser since 1967 and contributed significantly to correcting the negative perceptions of his personality established by early biographers. Her work highlights overlooked aspects of Dreiser's complex life and writings, particularly emphasizing the importance of 'A Traveler at Forty' (1913) within his extensive body of work. Von Bardeleben's thorough examination of the history and various versions of this travel memoir culminated in the first unabridged edition of 'A Traveler' (Dreiser Edition, 2005). The collection aims to further the reevaluation of Dreiser as a classic of American literary modernism, showcasing the depth and breadth of his contributions to literature.