So Big

Name: So Big
Author: Edna Ferber

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About This Book

The novel follows a boy who grows up in a Dutch-influenced farming community southwest of Chicago, where a childhood game gives him a nickname he resists as he matures. It tracks his mother, a resourceful woman shaped by years of travel with her gambler father and by hard domestic labor, and the son’s rise from rough rural childhood to outward markers of urban success. The narrative contrasts practical, earthy values and maternal pride with the son’s material achievements and his mother’s ambivalence and regret, examining identity, aspiration, and the personal costs of social mobility across generations.

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.

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