So Big

A Novel

De: Edna Ferber

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

""A masterpiece."" — Literary Review • ""A novel to read and to remember."" —New York Times

Widely regarded as the masterwork of celebrated author and Algonquin Round Table mainstay Edna Ferber—who also penned other classics including Show Boat, Giant, Ice Palace, Saratoga Trunk, and Cimarron—So Big is a powerful and stirring portrait of one of the most memorable women in American literature, and still resonates today with its unflinching views of poverty, sexism, and the drive for success.

Set in Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century, So Big tells the story of Selina Peake, orphaned at nineteen after her father is shot and killed in a gambling house. Alone and resolved to make something of her life, Selina gets a job as a schoolteacher in a farming community outside Chicago and falls in love with a kind but struggling farmer. She soon leaves the schoolhouse for long grueling days in the fields and gives birth to a son, Dirk, nicknamed “So Big.” When she finds herself unexpectedly widowed, she takes the reins of the farm, defying convention and all those around her, determined to give Dirk every opportunity to follow his dreams.

So Big is a must-read for fans of contemporary novelists such Willa Cather (O Pioneers!), Pearl S. Buck (The Good Earth), and Marjorie Rawlings (The Yearling).

Loved the narrator

Edna Ferber’s So Big is a timeless and deeply moving novel that beautifully captures the struggles, sacrifices, and quiet triumphs of ordinary life. Ferber’s writing is rich and empathetic, and she has a gift for finding dignity and meaning in the daily rhythms of hard work, motherhood, and the pursuit of beauty. The central character, Selina Peake De Jong, is one of the most inspiring heroines in American literature—resilient, wise, and determined to create a better life not only for herself but for her son.
What makes this novel so powerful is the way Ferber balances the grit of reality with an unwavering belief in the importance of art, imagination, and integrity. It’s not just a story about farming, family, or ambition—it’s about what truly matters in life and how success can be measured in ways far deeper than money.
Reading So Big feels like uncovering a quiet masterpiece—humble, profound, and unforgettable. It’s no wonder it won the Pulitzer Prize; it is a novel that stays with you long after you finish, reminding you of the beauty in persistence and the courage it takes to live authentically.

Wicked dull

Clearly, a talented author, but a story as dull as could be. Spent the book waiting for something to happen.

Wonderful!

An American classic! Lovely writing and a great story. A must-read for those who want to read the American fiction canon.

Excellent

I first read So Big by Edna Ferber in 1947. The book won the 1925 Pulitzer Prize. I was surprised at how much about the book I remembered. But it seems that in this reading I was more interested in the aspects about farming. Ferber is an excellent storyteller. From the pages, her unique characters jumped.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and fourteen minutes. Cassandra Campbell does an excellent job narrating the book.

It warmed my heart!

Listening to So Big was a real treat. I read Edna Ferber’s books decades ago and loved them. I still do.

It started so well and then just slogged

I liked the first of the story which is mostly about the mom, Salina. The rest, mostly about her son just seemed heavy and never ending. It was fun to learn about early farmlands around Chicago, but I just can’t say it was more than an ok story.

Average average average….annoying often…

Average average average in every category…and often annoying… Repetition of words meaning the same thing in lists employed by the author to make a point, becomes — to be repetitive — ANNOYING…but to be fair, I did finish reading it.

History of Chicago via One Family

Are you from Chicago? Do you love Chicago? Then, yes, you should listen to this book. Beautifully written with detailed language and references you’ll connect with, the story of this mother and son acts as the catalyst for listeners’ journey through an emerging great city. Poignant truths about is meaningful in line and what ultimately draws us together in relationships, Ferber’s novel had me from the opening line, throughout the saga, and pleased with its resolution.

So big

How many times have we done the same thing to our children and hope for the same?

Compelling American classic

This is a wonderful, lyrical novel about beauty and life, the success we gain through our scars, and how different progress can be viewed. The literary devices used to tell this passionate story are used effortlessly and a rich, tangible picture. If you love literature, a must listen/read.