Edna ferber s giant has been a contender for recognition as the texas novel since its 1952 publication, but the excellent movie adaptation from 1956 is even better known. Edna ferber books biography and list of works author. She celebrated america even as she exposed its shortcomings. A dedicated writer for more than fifty years, edna ferber was born in kalamazoo, michigan, on august 15, 1885. Having seen rock hudson, elizabeth taylor, and james dean in the key roles numerous times, those faces were the only ones i could attach to the characters as i read the book. Giant by edna ferber in djvu, doc, txt download ebook. Edna ferber was born on august 15, 1887 in kalamazoo, michigan, usa. Leslie benedict arrives at reata ranch, a bride of only a few days. Her novels were popular in her lifetime and included the pulitzer prizewinning so big 1924, show boat 1926. A virginia woman tries to adjust to life as the wife of a texas rancher. Her bestknown books include show boat, basis for the perennial play. Her bestselling novels were especially popular and included the pulitzer prizewinning so big, show boat, giant, and cimarron, which was made into the 1931 film that won the academy. Edna ferber books list of books by author edna ferber. Edna ferber august 15, 1885 april 16, 1968 was an american novelist, short story writer and playwright.
Pages remain clear and bright with minimal tanning throughout, some light occasional marking. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Giant uses a sweeping, involving narrative to describe the character of texas from the 1930s through the 1950s. Giant edna ferber making the movie giant author don graham discusses his book giant. Edna ferber s so big is an enduring american classic published in 1924.
It was said that edna ferber s book was inspired by texas oilman glenn mccarthy who was a millionaire by age 26. There is the fiftyroom house in the midst of rain and heat. Giant by edna ferber is a novel about the life of texans from 1925 until 1950. Giant by edna ferber was made into a film of the same name giant twodisc special edition and was the last film james dean starred in before his death. When the novel hit stands in 1952, scandal erupted as the people of texas rebuked this book that criticized the. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Giant by edna ferber is a fascinating read and gives us insights into what texas was like nearly a threequarter century ago. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking. Boards have mild shelf wear with light rubbing and corner bumping. Edna ferber writes the novel giant depicting the lives of texans in 1950s texas. Though it now boggles the mind, when edna ferbers classic potboiler giant was first published in 1952, it scandalized texans from the pecos to the sabine. So big is a pulitzer prize winning novel by edna ferber published in 1924.
It is one of several classic books that shaped my idea of what being an admirable woman would involve. When the novel hit stands in 1952, scandal erupted as the people. Two weeks after his last scene for giant was filmed, dean was killed in an automobile accident while speeding in his porsche 550 spyder toward a road race in salinas, california. The movie itself will be the subject of a new book out in april giant. Giant is absolutely a tale of texas in the earlier part of this century, shortly after the great war. Giant is a 1956 epic western drama directed by george stevens based on edna ferber s 1952. Though it now boggles the mind, when edna ferber s classic potboiler giant was first published in 1952, it scandalized texans from the pecos to the sabine. Her published work includes twelve novels, twelve collections of short stories, two autobiographies, and nine playsmost in collaboration with other playwrights. She would become a leading female american author who wrote a number of successful books, as well as plays.
Plain printed jacket over red cloth with gold lettering to spine. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. During this period, texas developed from a farm and ranch economy to an economy strongly identified with. The classic tale behind mgms blockbuster movie directed by george sidney, starring ava gardner, howard keel, and kathryn grayson. Giant is a 1956 american epic western drama film, directed by george stevens from a screenplay adapted by fred guiol and ivan moffat from edna ferbers 1952. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Ferber grew up mostly in her native kalamazoo, michigan, and in appleton, wisconsin in between her family moved to. Analysis of edna ferbers novels literary theory and criticism. Giant, the 1956 film, was based on the epic 1952 novel of the same title by edna ferber. Her novels include the pulitzer prizewinning so big 1924, show boat 1926. She is known for her work on giant 1956, show boat 1929 and come and get it 1936. Its a tale of ranches and cattle, dust and mesquite, mexicans and americans. The novel is centered around the land tycoon bick benedict, the sleazy rich oil baron jett rink, and bicks lovely wife and jetts unrequited love, leslie. Edna ferber was an american novelist, short story writer and playwright.
Giant ferbers flamboyant version of texas history and culture. As a basic synopsis, giant is a story set roughly in the 1920s30s it does move through at least 20 years about a virginian woman, leslie, who marries a texan, jordan bick benedict. The basis for the classic film starring james dean, elizabeth taylor, and rock hudson, giant is pulitzer prizewinning author edna ferbers sweeping. See all books authored by edna ferber, including so big, and giant, and more on. Giant, the 1956 film based on edna ferbers epic novel. As a basic synopsis, giant is a story set roughly in the 1920s30s it does move through at least 20 years about a virginian woman, leslie, who.
The story spans 25 years and through the eyes of the main characters, bick jordan benedict, and his wife leslie. We learn texas history, geography and lore through the eyes of leslie, a virginian, the new bride of the famous rancher bick benedict. A magic continent, a peculiar treasure, stuffed with riches, millions in it are starving in the midst of plenty. Giant is edna ferbers classic novel about virginia socialite leslie lynnton and her improbable marriage to texan cattleman jordan bick bennedict. Elizabeth taylor, rock hudson, james dean, edna ferber, and the making of a. Edna ferber 1885 1968 edna ferber august 15, 1885april 16, 1968, author edna ferber was born in kalamazoo, michigan on august 15, 1885 85. Texas and the world have come far, but not as far as we would like.
During this period, texas developed from a farm and ranch economy to an economy strongly identified with the greal oil boom. Bygone bestsellers edna ferbers giant interabang books. New york tribune giant makes marvelous readingwealth piled on wealth, wonder on wonder in a stunning, splendiferous pyramid of ostentation. Bringing to life the adventurous world of mississippi show boats, the grittiness of turnofthecentury chicago, and the majesty of 1920s broadway, pulitzer prize winner edna ferber s show boat is a classic. The saga of a wealthy texas ranching family, the film starred elizabeth taylor, rock hudson, and james dean, with appearances by chill wills, mercedes mccambridge, carroll baker, jane withers, dennis hopper, sal mineo, and rod taylor. It is the unforgettable story of selina peake dejong, a gamblers daughter, and her struggles to stay afloat and maintain her dignity and her sanity in the face of. A virginia woman tries to adjust to life as the wife of a. Ive read so big first published in 1924 by edna ferber many times since i was a little girl. The basis for the classic film starring james dean, elizabeth taylor, and rock hudson, giant is pulitzer prizewinning author edna ferbers sweeping generational tale of power, love, cattle barons, and oil tycoons, set in texas during the first half of the twentieth century.
When largerthanlife cattle rancher jordan bick benedict arrives at the family home of sharpwitted but genteel. When giant by edna ferber was published in 1952, it made southern critics mad, but it was a huge bestseller like many of her other books. Get the best deals on giant edna ferber when you shop the largest online selection at. Show boat and giant edna ferber was one of the best selling female novelists of the 20th century, author of novels and plays from the 1910s to the 1960s. Pretty, refined and sharply intelligent, leslie makes a stark contrast to her swaggering husband. Critics ripped the novel, a hardnosed satire of lone star mores, and ferber herself to shreds in papers across the state.
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