If I were going to read Willa Cather, which do you recommend I start with and why?
If I were going to read Willa Cather, which do you recommend I start with and why?
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If I were going to read Willa Cather, which do you recommend I start with and why?
I LOVE Death Comes for the Archbishop. It’s a small, but beautiful book. My Antonia and O Pioneers are great stories of the settlement of America. I’ve read a lot of her books, but those are my top three.
This is exactly what I would recommend
My top 3 as well.
these are her masterpieces. I’ve enjoyed many others of her works, but pick any of these for a taste of her style.
Beautiful book.
I really liked Death Comes for the Archbishop.
Oh definitely yes
My Antonia
Beautiful.
I’m excited for you to read her! I would start with My Antonia. It’s such a sweet coming of age story for both the boy and for the plains of Nebraska. I also loved Death Comes for the Archbishop too, and agree it would be a good place to start too. If you like short stories, she was masterful at those as well.
Great short story writer. Neighbor Rosicky is wonderful.
That’s a lovely story.
@Mikah it’s very moving.
My Antonia
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2016/11/30/willa-cather
My Antonia and O’Pioneers.
My Antonia….it is so beautiful
O pioneers I really liked.
My Antonia! You will love Willa Cather.
My Antonia bc it’s my favorite book.
Bonnie, have you read One of Ours? I just finished it a couple weeks ago and was wondering what another Cather fan thought.
I read it so long ago I can’t remember it. Years ago I read everything by her I could find. I need to start rereading her again.
@Bonnie It’s the one about the boy Claude whose father is a wealthy farmer in Nebraska. He’s very idealistic, but doesn’t have anywhere to put it until he joins the army in WWI.
@Mikah this one received awards BUT has been heavily criticized as being war propaganda.
I can see why. I had a little trouble getting through it, but thought it was interesting to hear a contemporary perspective of the war.
@Mikah yes. Interesting
Yes.
Thanks for all your thoughts. So basically I can’t go wrong. ?
I think I’ll eenie-meanie-miney-mo between Antonia and Death Comes for my first foray in Cather.
If you like audio, my Antonia is very good in audio also.
Just read both ?
@Mikah – Oh, I’m sure I will. Just have to decide the starting point. ?
I read MY ANTONIA first but now I’m reading/adoring SONG OF THE LARK. I’m new to Cather too. She is marvelous!
Pbs ran a movie of Song of the Lark years ago, it was wonderful.
Song of the Lark is amazing. Cather said it was one of her least favorite books, but I loved it.
My Antonia. It was my first audibook!! Loved it
Lucy Gayheart is a forgotten gem.
In my opinion, this is a sensitive beautiful gem.
A Lost Lady was well ahead of its time.
I’ve never read it, but I will now!