So Big

A Novel

De: Edna Ferber

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

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. 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.

©1924 Edna Ferber (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful story

Narrator creates a truly believable account of life in small vegetable farms in Chicago at turn of century 1900

Please give Edna Ferber a try.

This is a remarkable book, well narrated. For some reason Edna Ferber is no longer read. So Big should be read for its fascinating portrayal of an earlier America, and for its advocacy of authenticity.

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?