Do you love big, sprawling novels that follow families across generations? Are you drawn to stories with determined women at the center, women who build empires or overcome obstacles? Edna Ferber was a master of this kind of storytelling.
She wrote about America with a broad scope; she covered everything from Texas ranches to Alaskan canneries.
If you are looking for authors who capture a similar spirit, authors who write about strong characters and sweeping family histories, here are some names you might want to explore.
Readers who enjoy Edna Ferber’s vivid portrayal of American life may also appreciate Willa Cather, an author known for her rich stories of frontier and pioneer experiences. Her novel “My Ántonia” tells the tale of immigrant families settling in rural Nebraska.
The book follows Jim Burden and his friendship with Ántonia, a spirited Bohemian girl whose resilience shapes his own understanding of the land and his childhood memories.
Cather beautifully captures the plains of the Midwest and the hardships, triumphs, and quiet beauty in the lives of ordinary people. Her clear, thoughtful storytelling and genuine characters leave a lasting impression.
Books by Theodore Dreiser often portray characters caught between ambition and societal pressures. In “Sister Carrie,” Dreiser introduces Carrie Meeber, a young woman who leaves her small-town life in search of excitement and success in the big city.
Carrie faces the harsh realities of urban life and struggles with choices that test her morality and ambition. Dreiser explores the social challenges of early 20th-century America and offers vivid insight into personal aspirations and the pursuit of happiness.
Readers who enjoyed Edna Ferber’s detailed exploration of American society and vivid character portraits in books like “So Big” may find Dreiser’s honest portrayal of human desires and struggles equally appealing.
Readers who enjoy Edna Ferber’s sharp social observations and vivid portrayals of American life may appreciate Sinclair Lewis, another skilled chronicler of American society.
Lewis was the first American author awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, famous for his incisive critique of American culture and small-town values.
His book “Main Street” follows Carol Kennicott, a young and idealistic woman who marries a small-town doctor and moves from the city to Gopher Prairie. She attempts to reform the traditional, narrow-minded community but soon finds that change is not easy.
Lewis examines both the charm and harsh realities of small-town life through Carol’s experiences, filled with humor, satire, and relatable moments.
Readers interested in authentic portrayals of American settings and passionate, strong-willed characters will find much to enjoy in Sinclair Lewis’ work.
John Steinbeck explores vivid characters and tumultuous periods of American life, similar to the writing of Edna Ferber. His novel “The Grapes of Wrath” follows the hardships of the Joad family as they travel from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression.
Due to failing farmland, lost homes and dried-up hopes, they embark on a journey toward a brighter future. Steinbeck weaves together personal struggle, family bonds, and social challenges, all against the backdrop of America’s greatest economic crisis.
This novel offers readers the richness of historical detail and emotional depth that lovers of Edna Ferber’s novels often appreciate.
Books by Upton Sinclair often explore the struggles and dreams of everyday people in early twentieth-century America. Readers who enjoy Edna Ferber’s detailed portrayals of American life will likely appreciate Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle.”
This book tells the story of Jurgis Rudkus, an immigrant from Lithuania who moves his family to Chicago, hoping for a better life. But they quickly find hardship and exploitation in the meatpacking district.
Sinclair paints a vivid portrait of the tough living conditions and workplace abuses during the industrial boom.
The characters feel authentic and their struggles deeply human, offering a powerful look at resilience, corruption and the quest for justice in a rapidly changing America.
Edith Wharton was an American author known for her sharp eye and elegant exploration of early 20th-century society. If you’re a fan of Edna Ferber’s storytelling, try Wharton’s novel “The Age of Innocence.”
In this story, Newland Archer is a wealthy young lawyer living in a high-society world filled with inherited roles and unspoken restrictions.
His planned marriage to May Welland appears ideal until the intriguing Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York, forcing him to question the rigid expectations placed upon him.
Wharton vividly captures the manners, dilemmas, and deep emotions of a bygone era in ways that echo Ferber’s own thoughtful narratives.
Books by Fannie Hurst offer heartfelt stories about strong characters navigating life’s hardships and triumphs. Readers who appreciate Edna Ferber’s lively narratives and relatable characters might enjoy Hurst’s novel “Imitation of Life.”
This book follows two widowed mothers, Bea Pullman, a white woman, and Delilah Johnson, a Black woman, who build a successful business from a family pancake recipe but face personal challenges and social pressures along the way.
Hurst sensitively explores issues of race, identity, and motherhood through the bond between these very different women, drawing readers into the emotional depth and authenticity of their story.
Books by Pearl S. Buck often tell powerful stories about family relationships, cultural conflicts, and struggles for identity, themes that readers of Edna Ferber would appreciate.
In “The Good Earth,” Buck introduces readers to Wang Lung, a humble Chinese farmer whose life transforms through hard work, luck, and changing circumstances.
The novel carefully portrays rural life, capturing Wang Lung’s journey from poverty to wealth, as well as the challenges that prosperity can bring.
Buck’s honest and vivid storytelling brings early-twentieth-century China to life, while exploring how wealth, tradition, and change affect human relationships.
If Edna Ferber’s vibrant characters and thoughtful exploration of American life resonate with you, Pearl S. Buck’s insightful narratives about Chinese society will offer you a deeply rewarding reading experience.
Books by Dorothy Canfield Fisher often explore everyday situations and emotional depth in a way that fans of Edna Ferber can appreciate. In her novel “The Home-Maker,” Fisher brings us into the lives of the Knapp family.
After an unexpected crisis, the traditional roles of husband and wife are swapped, and they find surprising happiness in their new responsibilities. Fisher examines family roles and societal expectations thoughtfully and sensitively.
Readers who enjoy Ferber’s realistic portrayals of strong characters and changes in American life may find Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s books equally satisfying.
If you enjoy Edna Ferber’s vivid stories of American life and strong-willed characters, you might appreciate Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston’s writing brings alive the American South in vibrant detail, rooted firmly in African-American culture and tradition.
Her novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” introduces Janie Crawford, a woman determined to find her voice and independence despite restrictive social expectations.
As Janie moves through love, loss, and self-discovery in rural Florida communities, readers experience firsthand a rich story about resilience, identity, and the search for true happiness.
Hurston’s skillfully crafted characters, memorable dialogue, and the powerful portrayal of a woman’s inner journey will resonate with anyone drawn to Edna Ferber’s work.
Books by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings capture the spirit of rural American life with warmth and authenticity. If you enjoy Edna Ferber’s way of showing strong characters in vivid American settings, you’ll find Rawlings’ “The Yearling” a memorable read.
The book follows a young boy named Jody who grows up in the Florida backwoods. He befriends an orphaned fawn, and through their bond Jody learns the joys and struggles of life, family, and responsibility.
Rawlings highlights the deep connection her characters have with the natural landscape around them, characters whose quiet strength leaves a lasting impression.
Readers who enjoy Edna Ferber might also appreciate Sherwood Anderson’s thoughtful exploration of small-town lives in “Winesburg, Ohio.” Anderson presents a series of interconnected stories that reveal the quiet struggles and hidden dreams of residents in a fictional Ohio town.
Readers meet George Willard, a young reporter, who becomes the central point through which we experience the deeply personal stories of loneliness, hope, and missed opportunities. The characters are realistic and sympathetically drawn.
The book sheds light on how ordinary people grapple with life’s disappointments and aspirations, providing a heartfelt look at human nature in a changing world.
If you enjoy Edna Ferber’s vivid portrayals of American small-town life, Zona Gale offers a similar charm. Her novel “Miss Lulu Bett” tells the story of Lulu, a woman quietly trapped in domestic duty, who unexpectedly finds herself married due to a misunderstanding.
Gale portrays Lulu’s ordinary world with warmth and gentle humor, highlighting the quiet strengths and subtle rebellions of everyday people.
The book shows small-town relationships honestly, exploring hopes, disappointments, and unexpected courage in a setting readers of Ferber will feel at home in.
Books by Booth Tarkington often focus on everyday people caught in societal shifts, which may appeal to readers who appreciate Edna Ferber’s narratives. One great example is “The Magnificent Ambersons.”
It tells the story of the luxurious Amberson family, whose grand lifestyle is threatened by a changing society. Set amid the turn of the 20th century, this book shows how the rise of the automobile industry impacts people and communities.
Tarkington skillfully combines personal drama with broader social changes, providing a thoughtful portrayal of an America experiencing rapid transition.
If you enjoy Edna Ferber’s vivid tales of family, ambition, and the American dream, Louis Bromfield is an author worth exploring.
His novel “The Rains Came” transports readers to the vibrant city of Ranchipur in colonial India, where characters from different worlds intersect through love, rivalry, and tragedy.
Bromfield captures beautifully the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of monsoon rains and earthquakes, creating a dramatic story about sacrifice, renewal, and redemption.
Fans of Ferber’s rich storytelling and distinctive characters will appreciate the depth and emotional intensity Bromfield brings to life in this unforgettable novel.