Although you can see glimmers of some of Ferber's later works, such as Show Boat (as well as Willa Cather's O, Pioneers!), this early novel is undoubtedly one of her best and most whole. Strong characters, strong themes, and an adamance against sentimental cliche raise it into a thought-provoking, ultimately triumphant story of pain, loss, struggle, and determination. Strangely enough, I vividly remember reading an excerpt (the basket auction scene) in high school literature. I always wanted to find the book it came from and read it, and now, quite by accident, I have.