Buttered Side Down: Stories

A lively set of early‑twentieth‑century sketches, this collection trades the polished endings of classic fairy tales for the ordinary, often unvarnished, moments that shape ordinary lives. The author’s wry foreword sets the tone, hinting that “and so they lived” may be the truest conclusion. With a keen eye for detail, each story captures the pulse of city streets, the hum of storefronts, and the quiet dramas that unfold behind closed doors.

The opening tale drops readers into Chicago’s gritty “Nottingham curtain district,” where Gertie, a glove‑department clerk, wrestles with the monotony of long workdays, a stubborn hole in her stocking, and the ritual of brushing her hair one hundred strokes before bed. Ferber’s prose paints the neighborhood’s smoky windows and cramped yards with vivid affection, while the humor of Gertie’s exasperated brush‑throw offers a relatable glimpse of resilience. Together, the stories invite listeners to savor the small, often unnoticed, corners of everyday America.