Roast Beef Medium by Edna Ferber is the story of Emma McChesney, traveling saleswoman for a company that manufactures petticoats. She is a remarkably modern character. Introduced by Ferber in a story sold to a magazine in 1911, McChesney became an instant hit, with the public clamoring for more about her. Imagine: writing before World War I, the popularity of a female character, a career woman, who was divorced and glad of it, seemingly left her son to be raised at boarding schools, and traveled endlessly with heavy sample bags, making a good living in a man's field, and outselling, outsmarting and certainly out-charming them at the same time. Savvy, straight-talking, and self-reliant, Emma McChesney, is as witty and entertaining as the “fast-talking dames” found in old Hollywood movies, but it’s 1913 closer to 1910 than the 1930's or 1940's. Emma’s an early career woman, working as the Midwest sales representative for T.A. Buck’s Featherloom skirts and petticoats, and most of her life is spent on the road--traveling by train, sleeping in hotels, meeting the most interesting people, and outsmarting the male sales reps who are her competition. She’s still stylish and attractive enough to make a man hope, but as a hardworking divorced mother dependent on her income she’s a stickler about her reputation. Being mindful of the risks involved in competing with male sales reps has not made her become hardened or any less professional. Still, she knows what to expect in a restaurant pie or stew and stays with the reliable "roast beef, medium". This novel is about a middle-aged, divorced traveling saleswoman named Emma McChesney and the prejudice and hardship she faces. She earns “a man’s salary” and supports her teenage son and plans to put her teenage son through college with her earnings.. The book was absolutely fascinating as a document of sexism in 1913.
Roast Beef Medium is the first of three books about the adventures of Emma McChesney. Edna Ferber, also the author of Giant and Show Boat.
Written in 1913, Ferber gives the reader an idea of what life was like for business women in the early 20th century.
Roast Beef Medium...One of the "social novels" from the early 1900's. The world was changing with WWI and "reality" novels were starting to become more popular as the reality of life was changing. Women were working, becoming "career" women, not marrying or divorcing to live life on their own terms. The years of Victorian propriety was changing as the Edwardian age evolved and the horrors of war were experienced. One of the first "magazine serial stories" popular novels..."life" in the "modern" age". A lighthearted bit of entertainment reflecting "life in the new 'modern' age.
Nice book for your bookshelf or side table; charmingly quaint shabby chic decor. Very pretty shabby chic book with intriguing story line and plot...a quaint old fashioned read...Edwardian turn of the Century Popular novel...a "modern" book of the time. It's an interesting glimpse into the thought of the era of WWI and people's relationships. Lovely for a devoted Downtown Abbey Fan. I can just see this novel on Lady Mary and Lady Edith's reading list
It's such a nice book to hold and browse through--lovely to read and lovely to add to your decor. This would be the special gift for that special someone who would love an indulgence and It would be a perfect gift for the student of the changing Edwardian time/romantically inclined person in your life. . (see pics and check shop main page for more info on shipping etc and ask questions if needed) Check out our shop for more items in the WhenRosesBloom collection.
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DIMENSIONS and SPECS: Approx. 8" X 5 1/2" X 1 1/2" 296 Pages Grosset & Dunlap Company Publishers New York Circa 1913 March edition Green color binding with Brown title art. 27 Illustrations James Montgomery Flagg (page 150 illustration missing) List of current popular novels in back of book and on back of paper jacket. Nice volume with rare paper jacket included. Library Plastic cover on paper dust jacket to protect it. Binding in good condition (tight and firm) light wear to paper jacket on book (corners and spine) from being on shelf--book does not have much visible wear, cover is bright and not worn or faded--This book is in wonderful condition for its age over 100 years old and has been well cared for --see detail pictures and be sure to view all photos. Please see photos as they are part of the description. Use zoom feature to see greater detail.
Please note that vintage items are at least 20 years old and have had a prior "life" and will have some normal wear and imperfections appropriate with the age. Any major or noticeable flaws will be mentioned in the listing. You are purchasing a Book Roast Beef Medium by Edna Ferber only. Any other items shown in photos are for display purposes only and are not included with purchase.
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