Rating: 
Summary: A powerful portrayal of greed (in spite of its stereotypes)
Review: Along with Stephen Crane, Frank Norris was one of the earliest writers in American naturalism--a tradition that eventually gave us Sinclair Lewis, Theodore Dreiser, and John Steinbeck. Influenced by social Darwinism and the French realists (especially Zola), their style tends to bluntness and away from romanticism and their view of civilization is marked by grimness. "McTeague" is considered Norris's classic work, and for good reason: its effect on later writers is obvious, and the book represents a shocking, bleak expose of greed and of the bestial nature of human beings.McTeague is an unschooled, middle-class dentist who marries Trina, a daughter of German immigrants who is also the sweetheart of her distant cousin Marcus. Their lives are irrevocably changed when Trina wins $5,000 from a lottery, and their story is an examination of the resulting greed, miserliness, jealousies, intrigues, abuse, and homicide. Norris's worldview is not entirely gloomy, however: he introduces two endearing and unforgettable characters, Old Grannis and Miss Baker, an elderly couple whose only pleasure in the world is the knowledge of each other's existence on the other side of the shared wall of their two apartments. They are the antithesis of greed, and the simplicity of their desires provide much-needed comic (and, yes, romantic) relief. The 21st-century reader, however, should be warned that Norris's ethnic stereotypes are not pretty. Zerkow, a Polish Jew, is a parsimonious junk peddler who has "bloodless lips" and "claw-like, prehensile fingers--the fingers of a man who accumulates, but never disburses." He dreams incessantly of gold, and is entranced by the long-lost (and undoubtedly imaginary) gold dinnerware described by a Mexican maid, Maria, whom he eventually marries in order to monopolize her memories of the treasure. Maria herself is a dim-witted and unrepentant petty thief, yet her portrayal is more sympathetic in its evocation of naivety and innocence and suffering. Yet it's difficult to overcome the cringe factor created by Norris's depiction of these two characters. (To confirm that I was not overreacting, I searched the Web and found that, unfortunately, these passages are cited or reprinted gleefully and favorably on a number of anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi sites.) Happily, the remainder of the novel's characters are not so one-dimensional, yet all the main characters turn out to be, in their own way, as narrow-minded and greedy as Zerkow and Maria. There are two ways to see the disparity in the presentation of these characters. Critics tend to point out the Zerkow is presented first, as the archetype of greed--and that the remainder of the novel shows how McTeague, Trina, and Marcus are as greedy as Zerkow--or as "greedy as a Jew." The more charitable analysis reverses the perspective: that Norris mitigates his representation of Zerkow by demonstrating, in effect, that he is no different than anyone else--that all humans are basically brutes (a word Norris uses often). Norris's novel is above all a stark condemnation of human baseness. The various characters pursue their inescapable and expected demise, and the suddenness and shock of the ending is breathtaking. The power of the novel's underlying message ultimately overwhelms its dated bigotry, and "McTeague" is still a must-read for anyone interested in American literature.
Rating: 
Summary: McTeague by Frank Norris
Review: Although this book was published 100 years ago, it rivited my attention as no modern author has recently done. The characters are broadly drawn, and are certainly flawed people, however I was able to enter this story completely. I felt the love pangs of the elderly couple, pitied Maria Macapa, and hoped that Trina and Mac would somehow persevere in spite of Marcus' treachery. I have not been able to get their stories out of my head. I saw Eric Von Stroheim's movie "Greed" which translated this book to the silent screen. It's also a marvel!
Rating:
Summary: my favorite novel
Review: i came across mcteague by accident. through silent film study as a matter of fact. when i saw GREED the eric von stroheim masterpiece based on the novel i went and bought it instantly. since then i have read mcteacue 4 times and each time getting a bit more out of it. the world is full of constant tragedy that a lot of people dont want to hear so many will find this novel tasteless. it is the structure of the writing and the habit of routine that sticks out in my mind in mcteague. it is a tragic story like the writings of THEODORE DREISSER ,EDITH WHARTON , SINCLAIR LEWIS and specifically EMILE ZOLA whom norris idolized and copied. the tale is a strange one of how people lost in theire daily little routines and what can happen to them when those routines are suddenly interupted. it is grim and fascinating at the same time and when i see the endless police television shows of spouses murdering each other on a daily basis i am reminded of how "true" to life mcteague is. read it slowly and study the structure of norris phrases . the book was first made in to a film in 1919 i beleive in fort lee new jersey and it was titled LIFES WHIRPOOL. it is probably here where eric von stroheim first saw the film and then read the novel before he made his version of it in 1924. too bad that frank norris died unexpectedly who knows what was still in him as time went on??
Rating: 
Summary: Frank Norris needed a better editor
Review: I have just finished up this book in my senior AP lit class. Reading it was excruciating. The first bit of the book moves very slowly (well, I admit, the scene where McTeague asks Trina to marry him did crack me up, though I'm not entirely sure that that was what was intended) and the second half is even worse because by then I hated every single character in the book. Yes, I'm aware they're SUPPOSED to be over the top, but I feel that Norris could have gotten his point across much better if he had been more subtle. I don't really enjoy being beaten over the head with imagery. Homer Simpson could have understood this novel fully with ease.
Another thing: Frank Norris is not that good of a writer. So much stuff his narrator said was entirely unnecessary. Laughably
unnecessary. It's honestly just like, god, we get it already! Shut up!
But then, naturalism isn't really my cup of tea. I find it melodramtic (a soap opera, if you will) and extremely depressing. I don't like Social Darwinism, either, which is basically one of the messages Norris is trying sell. Also, he's a pretty racist S.O.B.
Lastly, why does he spell Owgooste out phonetically sometimes in the narration, and then spell it August other times? ?? Yeesh.
Rating: 
Summary: Also A Silent Film
Review: I recently completed a film class. And while the rest of the class groaned at the required viewing of silent films, I warmed up to the story of McTeague. The silent film version was called "Greed". Since that's basically what the book chronicles. The plot circles around, of course, the plight of Mac and Trina to reach the upper crust of society, but I believe some of the major conflict arises between the main characters and their inner drive to simply 'have more'. I'm not sure if the book includes this reference but there was a bird cage that the film highlighted. It was one of the things that served as a symbol for greed. It was the only thing that was colored in the film, and it was bright gold. Mac wouldn't get rid of it even though they were living in a slum. Trina wouldn't even buy fresh meat simply so she could keep a few pennies for herself. Instead she bought old rotting meat. Yuck. I just thought I'd let you people know that its also a silent film. The film was edited into a time period of maybe 2 and 1/2 hours. Maybe 3, I'm not sure. But Silent film is generally of epic proportions. They just didn't like to edit back then I guess.
Rating:
Summary: Realism; not once, not twice, but thrice over!!
Review: I, like at least one other reviewer below, first heard of Frank Norris while rummanging the bookstore. After finishing McTeague, it puzzles me how I made it to age 25, through high school and college American Lit courses without reading him! Maybe I'm bold but I enjoyed this book more than any Hawthorne, Steinbeck or Twain. This book is realism thrice over. The first 'realism' is coventional. Norris in the vain of the French realists writes a novel exploring people with complete human imperfections. From the feeble-witted McTeague (Norris never gives us his first name) to his avaricious wife Trina, we are introduced to a cast of characters who fuction the way people do. And unlike today's 'realist' literature that tries to be shocking for shock value, Norris is nothing but sincere. The second 'realism' is Norris's refreshing 'fly on the wall' approach. Unlike fellow realists like Dreiser and Lewis, Norris does not judge his characters- never commenting or moralizing, just reporting. Through two murders, one rape fantasy and spousal abuse among other things, Norris simply tells it as it 'happens.' The third 'realism' is in the language, both that of the characters and the novelist. It is always said that Hemingway was the one who taught us that descriptively, less is more. Now I see that there would have been no Hemingway without Norris. He is sparse and terse, giving the novel a life-like tone. The characters tend to stammer ("Yeah- uh- uh- yeah, that's the word") reflecting the way we really talk. This is not Henry James, Edith Wharton or Harriet Stowe. It is a gritty tale set in 1890's San Francisco with an ending that will leave you in nothing less than shock. Before Raymond Carver, Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck, there was Frank Norris and McTeague.
Rating:
Summary: San Francisco's Greed
Review: 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...
Rating:
Summary: Remorseless, brutal, utterly necessary
Review: Some aspects of McTeague are a little on the amateurish side; it can be psychologically clumsy, and some of the symbolism seems a bit labored (hey, Norris was in his twenties, whaddaya expect?). This, however, is irrelevant, because, truly, it is the most visceral novel I've read in ages, pulling no punches, and with easily the most nightmarish ending I've ever encountered in a 'realistic' novel (whatever you do, don't spoil it for yourself). Norris's single token attempt at lightening the mood is a secondary romantic subplot, but really, you'll be so overwhelmed by the novel's main thread, you'll barely notice. Norris was heavily, heavily influenced by Zola, and it shows on ever page. And, while his writing might not be up to that of The Man at his height (though if he hadn't died at thirty-two...the mind reels at the possibilities), he nonetheless displays all of Emile's best tendencies: the talent for atmosphere, the firm refusal to ever relent, the simply-drawn but deeply memorable characters...it's all there. Written in English, by an American. One of those things that might contribute to my being proud of my country, if not for various other issues. Seriously, dudes and dudesses...it's difficult for me to imagine how one could fail to be awestruck by this novel. Anyone interested in American fiction, naturalism, or just kickass writing in general should most definitely not miss it.
Rating:
Summary: McTeague Review
Review: This book begins much like a work by Dreiser or Lewis, but soon turns cynical in a way that can only work if the style is also sneeringly funny. An acknowledgment of that wicked humor is what is missing from many of the other reviews here. The characters are all selfish in their own way rather than truly greedy. (The movie "Greed" took "McTeague" as its inspiration.) They are also grotesques, which allows for the humor to work its magic without alienating us; something keeps us from wholly identifying with them, thus, we don't really feel their pain, but instead shake our heads at their miserable actions, all brought about by deficiencies of character. They want love and happiness and imagine stupidly that it is through wealth that they can achieve or be worthy of such virtues. This is the theme: wealth and security as misplaced substitutes for love and happiness in the modern world. Indeed, the image of gold spins through the novel in various contexts. I am not going to repeat the plot outline because some other reviews here have done that well. When I finished this, I was convinced that it is one of the ten best American novels I have ever read, and that includes a lot of so-called "great" works. However, there is a reason this book is not mentioned in the same breath as "Huckleberry Finn" and "The Great Gatsby." There are truths here that high school teachers would perhaps not want their students to face; namely that acquisitiveness in its extremes can become a rather disturbing mental sickness. In our consumer culture, I think many are made uncomfortable by that possibility. I am reminded of the great Native American chiefs who stated that the pursuit of gold had made white men crazy. I forget who said that an author in his work should be like God in the universe: everywhere present but visible nowhere. This novel reaffirmed that for me after reading so many painfully overwrought-- and overpraised-- postmodernist failures of the last thirty years or so. Agree or not, I won't mention their names: if you've read them, you know what I'm talking about. They're not for me. McTeague is fresh, funny, meaningful, and plot-driven. Would that those qualities returned to contemporary American fiction, and the age of sententiousness, victimization, and "style" over substance would end.
Rating:
Summary: McTeague Review
Review: This book begins much like a work by Dreiser or Lewis, but soon turns cynical in a way that can only work if the style is also sneeringly funny. An acknowledgment of that wicked humor is what is missing from many of the other reviews here. The characters are all selfish in their own way rather than truly greedy. (The movie "Greed" took "McTeague" as its inspiration.) They are also grotesques, which allows for the humor to work its magic without alienating us; something keeps us from wholly identifying with them, thus, we don't really feel their pain, but instead shake our heads at their miserable actions, all brought about by deficiencies of character. They want love and happiness and imagine stupidly that it is through wealth that they can achieve or be worthy of such virtues. This is the theme: wealth and security as misplaced substitutes for love and happiness in the modern world. Indeed, the image of gold spins through the novel in various contexts. I am not going to repeat the plot outline because some other reviews here have done that well. When I finished this, I was convinced that it is one of the ten best American novels I have ever read, and that includes a lot of so-called "great" works. However, there is a reason this book is not mentioned in the same breath as "Huckleberry Finn" and "The Great Gatsby." There are truths here that high school teachers would perhaps not want their students to face; namely that acquisitiveness in its extremes can become a rather disturbing mental sickness. In our consumer culture, I think many are made uncomfortable by that possibility. I am reminded of the great Native American chiefs who stated that the pursuit of gold had made white men crazy. I forget who said that an author in his work should be like God in the universe: everywhere present but visible nowhere. This novel reaffirmed that for me after reading so many painfully overwrought-- and overpraised-- postmodernist failures of the last thirty years or so. Agree or not, I won't mention their names: if you've read them, you know what I'm talking about. They're not for me. McTeague is fresh, funny, meaningful, and plot-driven. Would that those qualities returned to contemporary American fiction, and the age of sententiousness, victimization, and "style" over substance would end.
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