Clyde Griffiths is raised by poor and devoutly religious parents to help in their street missionary work. As a young adult, Clyde must take menial jobs as a soda jerk, then as a bellhop to support his family. At the hotel, he is introduced to bouts of social drinking and sex with prostitutes where he falls in love and quickly becomes jealous. Further irresponsible choices, lead to Clyde's ultimate trouble with the law. An American Tragedy was based on the notorious murder of Grace Brown in 1906 and the trial of her lover. Chester Gillette was put on trial for killing Brown, though he claimed that her death was a suicide. The murder trial drew international attention when Brown's love letters to Gillette were read in court. Dreiser saved newspaper clippings about the case for several years before writing his novel. He based Clyde Griffiths on Chester Gillette, deliberately giving him the same initials. This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.