I need to confess something: I almost put this book down after the first chapter. The opening felt a little slow, set in a different century. But I'm so glad I stuck with it. Edna Ferber pulls you into a world that's both foreign and deeply familiar, and before you know it, you're living alongside these characters.

The Story

The story belongs to Selina Peake. After her gambler father is killed, the young, cultured Selina has to support herself. She takes a job as a schoolteacher in the prairie town of High Prairie, a place of relentless toil and stark beauty. She marries a kind but simple farmer, Pervus DeJong, and her life becomes one of backbreaking work. Yet, Selina sees something in the soil and the seasons that others miss—a kind of art. After Pervus dies, she fights to keep the farm and raise her son, Dirk, alone.

And that's where the central tension ignites. Dirk, watching his mother struggle, vows to escape that life. He becomes a successful, wealthy architect in Chicago, but his soul seems to shrink as his bank account grows. The book follows their parallel journeys: Selina finding expansive meaning in a 'small' life, and Dirk discovering the emptiness of a 'big' one, all while that childhood question—'how big is it?'—echoes between them.

Why You Should Read It

This book surprised me. It's not a flashy drama. It's a slow, deep look at a woman's spirit. Selina is one of the most resilient and quietly revolutionary characters I've ever read. She doesn't set out to change the world; she simply refuses to let the world change her core belief that life should be lived with wonder. Her relationship with the land is a character itself. Ferber writes about a cabbage field with the same awe another writer might describe a cathedral.

The contrast with Dirk is heartbreaking and feels so relevant today. We're still asking his question: is the goal of life comfort, or is it meaning? Ferber doesn't give a pat answer, but she shows you the cost of each choice in vivid, human detail.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves a rich, character-driven family saga or stories about strong, unconventional women. If you enjoyed books like My Ántonia or East of Eden, you'll find a similar depth here. It's also a fantastic pick for a book club—there's so much to discuss about work, art, parenting, and success. Just give it a few chapters to settle in. It’s a story that grows on you, just like Selina's crops on the prairie.