Archive · 10 Jun 2025
Forgotten Bestseller 'So Big' Still Resonates with Readers Today
Imagine a book that's like a quiet, thoughtful friend.
That's 'So Big'!
It's about a mom named Selina who faces tough times but keeps going.
She works hard, like a farmer, and makes sure her son has a good life.
The book asks, what really makes you happy?
Selina finds it in simple things, like working the land.
Her son, though, wants fancy things.
The book shows us that being truly happy is more about being a good person and finding your own way, even if it's not the most glamorous one.
It's a reminder that what matters most is often found in everyday life and the values you live by.
Edna Ferber's 'So Big' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel first published in 1924.
The novel follows Selina Peake De Jong, a single mother who perseveres through hardship.
Selina becomes a farmer and survives by being resourceful after the death of her husband.
The story contrasts Selina's values with her son Dirk's pursuit of a materialistic life.
'So Big' challenges modern ideas of success, emphasizing contentment and integrity.
- Who
- The author, Edna Ferber, and the protagonist, Selina Peake De Jong, and readers.
- What
- A review of Edna Ferber's novel 'So Big' and its relevance to modern readers.
- When
- First published in 1924.
- Where
- Set in a rural Dutch farming community near Chicago.
- Why
- To highlight the enduring themes of character, resilience, and the value of a life rooted in purpose.
- Author
- Edna Ferber
- Book Title
- 'So Big'
- Year Published
- 1924
- Award
- Pulitzer Prize
- Setting
- Rural Dutch farming community near Chicago
- Main Character
- Selina Peake De Jong