The "Genius" (1915) is a novel by Theodore Dreiser. Based partly on
his own experience as an artist from the Midwest, The "Genius"
examines the nature of talent, the difficulty of desire, and the meaning
of faith itself. Although he had high hopes for the novel, reviews were
mixed, and sales suffered due to charges of obscenity. Some critics,
however, praised Dreiser's openness on sex and desire, opposing the
censorship targeting the author's work. Eugene Witla may have been born
in a small Midwestern town, but his dreams look past the farmland and
fields of his youth to the towers and streets of Chicago. He enrolls at
the Chicago Art Institute to study painting, but ultimately spends more
time with women than he does in class. Despite his desire to continue
his faithless ways, Eugene agrees to marry his lover Angela. Together,
they move to New York City, where Eugene's urban realist style is in
high demand from critics and galleries alike. At every turn, however, he
feels held back by his obligation to Angela, who has no creative
inclination and seems happy to live a simple, anonymous life. On a trip
to Europe, Eugene suffers a breakdown and ultimately decides to abandon
his art, turning to advertising instead. Although he claims to be
satisfied, his behavior soon proves otherwise. The "Genius" is a story
of romance, heartache, and betrayal that says as much about a single man
as it does about the values of an entire society. With a beautifully
designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of
Theodore Dreiser's The "Genius" is a classic of American literature
reimagined for modern readers.