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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This 1925 Pulitzer Prize winner addresses themes that are still relavent after nearly 100 years, things like subsistence living vs. capitalism, country living vs. city living, and the role of women in the work force. Through the story of Selena and her son, Ferber causes the reader to think about what makes a meaningful life. Is it better to strive for wealth or to appreciate the beautiful things in this world?
This book reminded me of Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis which was required reading when I was in high school. I would have enjoyed So Big and gotten more out of it. Before reading this I had never heard of Edna Ferber and I look forward to reading more of her works.
This book reminded me of Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis which was required reading when I was in high school. I would have enjoyed So Big and gotten more out of it. Before reading this I had never heard of Edna Ferber and I look forward to reading more of her works.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Five stars, had a grand ol’ time reading. I knew I would love this book because 1) it’s set in Chicago and 2) it’s got a similar premise/vibe to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Turn of the century, coming-of-age tale featuring an indefatigable woman. Great read.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
quiet | unassuming | ordinary lives, extraordinary women
This is for you if you like stories with heroines who surprise you, where it is possible to find beauty in simple daily life, and you find yourself wishing for more for the characters because you believe in their humanity.
You may be disappointed by the shift in perspective from Selina to Dirk in the second half, because he is just not as interesting.
Reminded me of:
Anne of Green Gables
Lines I underlined:
“But always, to her, red and green cabbages were to be jade and burgundy, chrysoprase and prophyry. Life has no weapons against a woman like that.”
“Living. All mixed up. The more kinds of people you see, and the more things you do, and the more things that happen to you, the richer you are. Even if they’re not pleasant things. That’s living. Remember, no matter what happens, good or bad, it’s just so much”—he used the gambler’s term, unconsciously—“just so much velvet.”
This is for you if you like stories with heroines who surprise you, where it is possible to find beauty in simple daily life, and you find yourself wishing for more for the characters because you believe in their humanity.
You may be disappointed by the shift in perspective from Selina to Dirk in the second half, because he is just not as interesting.
Reminded me of:
Anne of Green Gables
Lines I underlined:
“But always, to her, red and green cabbages were to be jade and burgundy, chrysoprase and prophyry. Life has no weapons against a woman like that.”
“Living. All mixed up. The more kinds of people you see, and the more things you do, and the more things that happen to you, the richer you are. Even if they’re not pleasant things. That’s living. Remember, no matter what happens, good or bad, it’s just so much”—he used the gambler’s term, unconsciously—“just so much velvet.”
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A 1920's classic that succeeds as both a portrait of American life and of one ordinary, extraordinary woman's life. I just loved Selina Peake DeJong and her irrepressible spirit and longing for beauty--I was rooting for her completely. I was less interested in her son Dirk and would have probably preferred to stick with Selina for the entire book, but the contrast between the life she yearns to give him and the life he ends up pursuing is striking and very effective. The portrait of a changing Chicago is wonderfully done and Ferber's writing is lively and forceful, with some striking images. I'm sufficiently intrigued to think about picking Giant up this summer.