Half Portions: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Half Portions: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Half Portions 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:
"Half Portions" by Edna Ferber is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Aunt Sophy Decker, a middle-aged spinster and successful milliner in Chippewa, Wisconsin. It explores her life as she operates her hat shop, navigates family dynamics, and provides emotional support to her sisters and their families, all while reflecting on her own unfulfilled desires and giving nature. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Aunt Sophy as a character who embodies the challenges and virtues of single life. She is portrayed as a self-reliant businesswoman who caters to a diverse clientele, from fashionable women to working-class girls. The opening details her relationships with her married sisters, who often confide in her about their dissatisfaction with marriage and motherhood. Sophy, despite being perceived as a "poor aunt," exhibits a depth of understanding and tolerance that reflects her strength and resilience. The narrative sets the stage for a poignant exploration of womanhood, sacrifice, and the complexities of family relationships, hinting at Sophy's journey of self-discovery amid the expectations placed on her by her family.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Half Portions
- Author credits: Ferber, Edna (1885–1968)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
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.


