
audiobook
by Edna Ferber
Emma McChesney is a sharp‑witted, self‑made woman who runs a bustling office while keeping her household in lively order. When her son Jock, fresh‑faced and eager, steps out of his mother’s bedroom in a too‑young Norfolk suit, their banter instantly reveals the clash between his youthful ambition and her seasoned pragmatism. Their exchanges are peppered with the era’s colorful slang, from “slick as a lightning‑rod” salesmen to the emerging world of advertising and service. Through Emma’s quick humor and Jock’s restless curiosity, the story sketches a portrait of a family navigating the rapid changes of a city that’s reaching for the skies.
Set against the backdrop of skyscrapers and the rise of modern commerce, the narrative captures the buzz of early‑twentieth‑century life. The dialogue crackles with witty observations about new technologies, fashion, and the shifting roles of men and women. As Jock wrestles with his first steps into adulthood, Emma’s blend of affection and firm guidance offers both comedy and insight. Listeners will enjoy the vivid, light‑hearted look at a mother‑son partnership that balances ambition, humor, and the everyday hustle of a rapidly evolving world.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (143K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Janet Kegg and the Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2004-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1885–1968
A sharp-eyed storyteller of American ambition and reinvention, she turned everyday lives into big, memorable novels. Her books ranged from small-town newspaper offices to sprawling family sagas, and several became classic films and stage works.
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