‘Giant’ Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-Selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film

This impressive work by Gilbert (Ferber: Edna Ferber and Her Circle) captures the essence of Giant and Edna Ferber, who wrote the 1952 bestselling novel that was turned into the award-winning 1956 motion picture. After a thoughtful overview of Ferber’s life and previous novels (So Big; Cimarron; Show Boat), Gilbert recounts the fascinating story of Giant with a wealth of details about Ferber’s research, visits to Texas people and places, and journey to publishing the novel. Gilbert also covers the post-publication threats over depictions of life and values in the Lone Star State—proving again that Ferber was not afraid to tackle challenging social issues. Then came the film, with director George Stevens guiding a stellar cast, including Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. This sweeping and complex production is vividly recounted through generous behind-the-scenes stories from the set, personal reminiscences, script analyses, reviews and quotes, and Ferber’s commentary. As Ferber’s great-niece, Gilbert offers her unique perspective on the legacy of a beloved author whose works captured the intricate heart of the United States both in print and on the screen.