EDNA FERBER

(1885-1968)

“It is generally the ‘real’ characters who are the unreal. When I know that I am writing about my next-door neighbor or his next-door neighbor, I am afraid that they or their friends will recognize the characters and say, ‘That isn’t like her at all.’ So, I add in all kinds of additional points that spoil the people completely. But when I am making up a character, I can play fairy godmother and make him or her do whatever I want.”

Ferber was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels include the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big (1924), Show Boat (1926; made into the celebrated 1927 musical), Giant (1952; made into the 1956 film of the same name) and Ice Palace (1958), which also received a film adaptation in 1960.

“If men ever discovered how tough women actually are, they would be scared to death.”