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Cheerful—By Request: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

Cheerful—By Request: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Cheerful—By Request is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ferber, Edna (1885–1968).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Cheerful—By Request" by Edna Ferber is a novel written during the late 1910s. The story primarily revolves around Josie Fifer, a struggling actress-turned-costume keeper in a theatrical warehouse, navigating her complex life in the doldrums of the New York theater scene. The narrative emphasizes the stark contrast between the grim realities of theater production and the author’s desire for a more uplifting tale in a post-war society. The opening portion introduces readers to the world of Josie Fifer, who is entrenched in the behind-the-scenes aspect of theater, managing the costumes of failed productions. The dialogue sets a tone of discontent with the prevailing gloomy and "realistic" narratives common at the time. Josie is depicted with a sharp wit and a somewhat jaded outlook, having faced years of disappointment and hardship within the industry. Through a series of vignettes, we see her reflections on her past aspirations, her current position, and her interactions with others, including Sid Hahn, a prominent theatrical manager. The opening establishes a pitch for a "cheerful" story, hinting at Josie's desire for both recognition and a more hopeful narrative amidst the tragedy she finds herself surrounded by.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Cheerful—By Request
  • Author credits: Ferber, Edna (1885–1968)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Manners and customs -- Fiction
  • Short stories, American

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: American Literature
  • Category: Novels

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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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