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So Big

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About this listen

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and widely considered to be Edna Ferber’s greatest achievement, So Big is a classic novel of turn-of-the-century Chicago.

Hailed as a novel “to read and remember” (New York Times), So Big is the unforgettable story of the indomitable Selina Peake DeJong and her struggles to stay afloat and maintain her dignity in the face of a challenging marriage, widowhood, and single parenthood.

Left an orphan at 19 years old in the late 1880s, Selina Peake needs to support herself. She becomes a teacher in the farming community of High Prairie, Illinois, and soon marries Pervus DeJong, a farmer. After Pervus’ death, Selina takes over their struggling farm and raises their son, Dirk. Despite their hardships, she retains a deep appreciation for art and beauty and does her best to instill these values in Dirk, but will he recognize his mother’s wisdom before he loses a chance at love?

First published in 1924, So Big is a brilliant literary masterwork from one of the 20th century’s most accomplished and admired writers and still resonates today with its unflinching views of poverty, sexism, and the drive for success.

Public Domain (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing Classics Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring
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If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The narrator is the best I have heard on audio books, and I have listened to a lot! She is impeccable throughout. I am so glad this is such a long book as I never wanted it to end.

wonderful

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I loved this book. It’s so beautifully written and certainly a different style of writing when compared to present day - almost slow & quite poetic and a bit verbose but so gorgeous. Incredibly insightful as it’s written about the turn of the 19th to 20th century and the enormous socio-economic changes that were taking place in the USA. Was a treasure to come across this Pulitzer Prize winning book. But I hated the ending!!

Written in 1924 & so poignant and insightful

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The story, the performance, the voice and accents. All perfect and absolutely beautiful. I found myself crying many times from the sheer beauty and tragedy. I love the sudden ending, the uncertainty, I will miss the characters immensely.

There’s just so much.. velvet.

Cabbages are beautiful

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I love it when a story ends but you're left wondering what move the characters make next, what adventures and liaisons they have .. loved this story .. wonderfully well painted characters and narrated beautifully too - highly recommend.

..but what happened next!!!

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Interesting novel. A touch of the Edith Whartons. Not heard of this author or her work. Really interesting exploration of the making of 20th century USA & capitalism of that era, from immigrant stock (Europeans) forging identities as industrialists, the 'gilded age', white Anglo Saxon Protestantism, and also idealism, including the faux fulfillment of the 19th/20th century version of the American dream. Defo worth a listen or several. Good read.

Enjoyable discovery

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