Gigolo: Edna Ferber (Classics, Literature) [Annotated]

Gigolo was originally published in 1922 as part of Edna Ferber’s short story collection, offering a sharp, observational look at the lives of post-World War I expatriates in Paris. The story explores themes of disillusionment and social displacement, reflecting the shifting moral landscape of the Jazz Age. As one of Ferber's earlier works, it serves as a critical bridge between her regional Midwestern storytelling and the more cosmopolitan, character-driven narratives that would define her later Pulitzer Prize-winning career.

This specific edition is an annotated volume, curated to provide modern readers with context regarding the cultural and historical nuances of the 1920s. The design and inclusion of annotations aim to illuminate Ferber's biting social commentary and the specific argot of the period. While the original stories were well-received for their frankness and Ferber's distinctive, journalistic prose style, this annotated format seeks to preserve the intellectual integrity of the text for a contemporary audience.