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Show Boat
Hardcover
Classic FictionGeneral FictionHistorical Fiction
ISBN13: 9781025446912
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 314
Weight: 1.36
Height: 0.75 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Show Boat is a sprawling masterpiece of American literature that chronicles the lives of three generations of performers aboard the Cotton Blossom, a grand floating theater that traverses the Mississippi River. Spanning from the Reconstruction era to the Roaring Twenties, Edna Ferber's evocative novel captures the vibrant and often turbulent heart of the American South.
The story follows Magnolia Hawks, the spirited daughter of the show boat's captain, as she falls for the charming but enigmatic gambler Gaylord Ravenal. Their journey takes them from the river's edge to the bustling streets of Chicago, navigating the highs and lows of fame, fortune, and family loyalty. Against the backdrop of the river's constant flow, Ferber masterfully weaves themes of racial identity, social upheaval, and the evolving nature of the American stage.
A landmark work of historical fiction, Show Boat remains a powerful exploration of the American experience, blending romance and drama with a keen observation of the cultural forces that shaped the nation. Its enduring legacy continues to resonate through its rich characterizations and its vivid depiction of a bygone era of entertainment and society.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
7 different editions
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