The Girls (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

The Girls is Edna Ferber's first novel to depict multiple generations, a theme that would reemerge in much of her work. In the book, she tells the story of the Thrift women—a great aunt, a niece, and a grand niece—who live on Chicago's South Side. Published in 1921, the book was written with Ferber's characteristic flair for depicting determined women making their way in the world.