The Pit A Story of Chicago Author:Frank Norris The author's unfinished trilogy, begun in "The Octopus", continues in this novel about a trader intent on cornering the wheat market. Curtis's obsession with controlling the market and his domination of his emotionally dependent wife are the basis of this book. — About the Author — Frank Norris (1870-1902), an American novelist and journalist, bor... more »n in Chicago, Illinois. An avid reader of Emile Zola and Edgar Allan Poe, most of his works belong to the naturalist genre. As a reporter, he wrote about the Boer War and the other conflicts of South Africa, as well as the upheavals in Cuba. Although he never voiced his socialist views, they are reflected in his fictional works. He continued his career as a journalist while writing fiction frequently and was successful in both pursuits.« less