Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
So Big
- Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
So Big
Buy Now for £17.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
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.
Left an orphan at 19 years old in the late 1880s, Selina Peake needs to support herself. She becomes a teacher in the farming community of High Prairie, Illinois, and soon marries Pervus DeJong, a farmer. After Pervus’ death, Selina takes over their struggling farm and raises their son, Dirk. Despite their hardships, she retains a deep appreciation for art and beauty and does her best to instill these values in Dirk, but will he recognize his mother’s wisdom before he loses a chance at love?
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.
What listeners say about So Big
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-09-22
Beautiful
Thought provoking. Beautiful words. A storey that makes you feel and smile. Didn’t want this book to end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan Cooper
- 08-10-22
..but what happened next!!!
I love it when a story ends but you're left wondering what move the characters make next, what adventures and liaisons they have .. loved this story .. wonderfully well painted characters and narrated beautifully too - highly recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ina Kareliussen
- 06-02-23
Cabbages are beautiful
The story, the performance, the voice and accents. All perfect and absolutely beautiful. I found myself crying many times from the sheer beauty and tragedy. I love the sudden ending, the uncertainty, I will miss the characters immensely.
There’s just so much.. velvet.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 04-06-22
Enjoyable discovery
Interesting novel. A touch of the Edith Whartons. Not heard of this author or her work. Really interesting exploration of the making of 20th century USA & capitalism of that era, from immigrant stock (Europeans) forging identities as industrialists, the 'gilded age', white Anglo Saxon Protestantism, and also idealism, including the faux fulfillment of the 19th/20th century version of the American dream. Defo worth a listen or several. Good read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marie Elliot
- 07-03-23
Fabulous
I enjoyed every minute of this, especially the depth with which the characters are drawn. I also thought the narration was good.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- lauras
- 09-10-22
wonderful
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The narrator is the best I have heard on audio books, and I have listened to a lot! She is impeccable throughout. I am so glad this is such a long book as I never wanted it to end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline Monahan
- 08-07-22
Written in 1924 & so poignant and insightful
I loved this book. It’s so beautifully written and certainly a different style of writing when compared to present day - almost slow & quite poetic and a bit verbose but so gorgeous. Incredibly insightful as it’s written about the turn of the 19th to 20th century and the enormous socio-economic changes that were taking place in the USA. Was a treasure to come across this Pulitzer Prize winning book. But I hated the ending!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 13
- 14-01-23
Argh, I need to know what happened next!
The narration seemed fine to me, I didn't notice any of the issues with it that other reviewers have mentioned. I was a bit lukewarm about the story at first, it's something of a slow burner. I enjoyed hearing the details of what life was like in that place and period but I wasn't enraptured. However, by the end of the book I was somehow so invested in the characters that I found myself bereft to find this was the end. I really wanted to hear more!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sometimes it's a Zebra 🦓
- 26-09-23
So Big
A well written slow burner. Something a little bit different. While there are actual love interests, the main love interest is beauty itself.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Runmumstheword
- 02-11-22
A wonderfully read novel
The descriptions so beautifully written, made more special by the talented narrator. Outstanding. Couldn't wait hear more.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!