005 - Chapter 5

First published in 1926, Show Boat weaves the rich tapestry of the Hawks-Ravenal family across three generations and the enchanting Cotton Blossom Floating Palace Theatre as it journeys along the Mississippi River and beyond. Spanning the Reconstruction Era of the 1880s to the vibrant Gilded Age and Roaring Twenties, this timeless tale has captivated audiences through its adaptation into a Broadway musical in 1927 and various film versions, including both a silent film and a partial talkie in 1929. Please note, the narrative contains themes of race, particularly anti-Black stereotypes and derogatory language, and it is LibriVoxs policy to present texts as written. - Summary by TriciaG