The Pit: A Story of Chicago

Published in 1903, 'The Pit: A Story of Chicago' by Frank Norris is a novel that explores the complexities of urban life and capitalism in early 20th-century Chicago. The narrative follows Laura Dearborn and her husband Curtis Jadwin, a speculator attempting to dominate the wheat market, highlighting the personal and economic struggles of the era. This work, part of Norris's 'Epic of the Wheat' trilogy, is notable for its psychological depth and realism, drawing comparisons to literary figures like Flaubert's Madame Bovary. The novel is presented in its original form, with contextual notes by Joseph R. McElrath, Jr. and Gwendolyn Jones.