Buttered Side Down: Stories

This early 20th-century collection of short stories by Edna Ferber presents everyday people facing the pressures and uncertainties of modern urban life, with several narratives set in Chicago. Across the stories, characters work through loneliness, hopes for love, and the search for happiness as they navigate daily challenges and personal ambitions. One opening story follows Gertrude, called Gertie, who lives in a rundown boarding house in the city and spends a tiring day working in a department store. Afterward, as she prepares for bed, Gertie reflects on her isolation and interactions with the “Kid Next Door.” A late-night meeting suggests a developing friendship and points toward the emotional depth explored throughout the collection.