The Wheat Princess

“The Wheat Princess” is a 1905 novel by American writer Jean Webster. Inspired by the famous case of the Chicago “Wheat King” during the late 1890s, this volume looks at the potential effects of a similar wheat monopoly in Italy, a country which relies heavily on imported wheat to feed its people. Set in a rich American expatriate community, it revolves around the brother and daughter of the fictional Wheat King, and in particular the latter's gradual realisation of the effects of her father's terrible monopoly. “Jean Webster” is the pseudonym of Alice Jane Chandler Webster (1876 – 1916), an American writer who authored many well-known books including “Daddy-Long-Legs” and “Dear Enemy”. Her most famous works are often characterised by powerful, likeable young female main characters who experience a maturation and intellectual coming-of-age morally and socially. Including witty humour, snappy dialogue, and social commentary, her works are still read and enjoyed by readers today the world over. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.