Cheerful—By Request

Name: Cheerful—By Request
Author: Edna Ferber

By Edna Ferber

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

A collection of interlinked short stories set around the theatrical world and the Chicago Loop, portraying theatrical professionals, performers, and ordinary city dwellers. It opens with an editor requesting a cheerful tale and then sketches the lives of figures such as a theatre firm ghostkeeper, a roving bachelor who thrives on nightlife, and other women and men negotiating ambition, duty, and compromise. Through episodic scenes and varied vignettes the work examines the commerce of show business, domestic obligations, small moral choices, and the comic and poignant details of urban life, balancing satire, warmth, and social observation.

About the Author

Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber (1885-1968) was an American novelist and playwright, celebrated for her vivid storytelling and strong female characters. She gained prominence in the early 20th century, contributing significantly to American literature with works that often explored themes of identity and social change. Ferber is perhaps best known for her novel "Show Boat," which was adapted into a successful musical, highlighting her ability to blend literary prowess with popular culture. Her other notable works include "Emma McChesney and Co." and "Fanny Herself," both of which showcase her keen observations of women's lives and the complexities of modern society. Ferber's legacy endures as a vital part of American literary heritage.