Half Portions

"Half Portions" by Edna Ferber is a story set in early 20th-century Wisconsin that presents Aunt Sophy Decker, a self-sufficient, unmarried hat maker in Chippewa. The book looks at Sophy's world as she runs her shop, deals with family drama, and offers a shoulder to lean on for her sisters and their families. Even though she's single, Sophy's actually quite happy and generous. Right away, we meet Aunt Sophy as a strong woman who faces the ups and downs of being single. She's a skilled businesswoman who sells hats to all kinds of customers. The book also shows her relationships with her married sisters, who often tell her they're not happy being wives and mothers. People might think Sophy is just a maiden aunt, but she's really understanding and strong, which shows how tough she is. The story is a moving look at being a woman, making sacrifices, and how tricky family can be, all while Sophy figures out who she is while dealing with what her family expects from her.