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Martin Dressler : The Tale of an American Dreamer
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Martin Dressler : The Tale of an American Dreamer
Author: Steven Millhauser

Book Information
Publisher: Crown
Book Type: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 2
Rating:
4

ISBN-13: 9780517703199 - ISBN-10: 051770319X
Publication Date: 4/23/1996
Pages: 293


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback

Book Description:
Young Martin Dressler begins his career as an industrious helper in his father's cigar store.  In the course of his restless young manhood, he makes a swift and eventful rise to the top, accompanied  by two sisters--one a dreamlike shadow, the other a worldly business partner. As the eponymous Martin's vision becomes bolder and bolder he walks a haunted line between fantasy and reality, madness and ambition, art and industry, a  sense of doom builds piece-by-hypnotic piece until this mesmerizing journey into the heart of an American dreamer reaches its bitter-sweet conclusion.

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Halfway through "Martin Dressler," I was so taken with the book that I was checking to see what else Steven Millhauser had written. But by the time I got to the end, I was less enthused. The second half of the book seemed to be more about Martin's buildings than Martin himself. After a while, I found the endless descriptions repetitious and monotonous. But even more puzzling, the book didn't seem to have an ending. It just sort of wound down without what I'd consider any resolution to the story, or a real indication about the rest of Martin's life. I won't say anything specific, so as not to post any spoilers, but I don't think Martin, the character, was served well by the ending. I have mixed feelings about recommending this book, because while I really liked the first half, the second half was a letdown.


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