The Financier by Theodore Dreiser. Short summary

5 seconds

The talented Frank makes great strides in the stock market. He goes to prison for machinations with the city treasury. When he gets out, he becomes a millionaire, leaves his wife and goes off with his mistress.

1 minute

Frank Cowperwood has shown a talent for commerce since his youth. He begins with small stock operations and by the age of twenty becomes one of Philadelphia’s largest financiers. The young man marries a beautiful woman, Lillian, who bears him two children and buys a luxurious mansion.

But ambition forces Frank to achieve more. He falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy Butler contractor, Eileen. Because of his machinations with the city treasury, Frank owes the city a huge sum of money.

Butler, who learns of his affair with his daughter, retaliates against Frank, causing him to be convicted of embezzlement. Frank appeals, but because of Butler’s influence they are rejected.

Butler dies. Frank is released early. Taking advantage of the panic in the stock market, he becomes a millionaire in a matter of days. Frank leaves with Eileen for Chicago. Later, he divorces Lillian.