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julialou's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
edamamebean's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book so much I don’t think I can even say. I bought it because it sounded good but then kept putting it off because I was worried it would be boring, but it kept calling to me from my bookshelf and finally on a cozy rainy night, I gave in and picked it up and couldn’t put it down. It’s a beautiful coming of age story, and although not very much happens it’s not boring for a second. The chapters are really short, so the pages go by quickly. I loved the characters and the town of Black Hawk, and it reminded me a little of Anne of Green Gables but with some slightly more serious themes. It was just so good and devastating at times. I will absolutely be reading more by Willa Cather. I found out that she was buried not too far from where I live and I think I might have to go visit her grave to say thank you for this beautiful little book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Suicide
bluelightbeam's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
This book was a quick read, and I enjoyed most of it. The worst part was probably the chapter about Samson d’Arnault. I was disturbed by the language used to describe him.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Murder and Suicide
comuniquetres's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
bunny_campos's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
sophieberger16's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
This wasn't my usual type of read and it did feel really slow at times, but overall I did enjoy it and appreciated it splitting the plot into different "books."
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
baybod's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I LOVE Willa Cather. She writes in a way that makes me miss a Nebraska I never lived in. Her description of the land fosters a love and appreciation for it that few authors can create so well. Her characterization is masterful. She brings her characters to life so vividly and succinctly that I feel I know them and care about them after an introductory paragraph. I loved how this novel presented several strong female characters, each following a different life path, but each achieving success in the way that they define it. I love how the women in the story lift each other up and celebrate their successes even when what one of them succeeds in doing, another would never want to do. Cather’s representation of female agency and diversity in life paths for the women in her stories is distinctly feminist. I love that Lena, Tiny and Ántonia are all viewed as incredibly successful though they live such different lives—a successful, but not rich, dressmaker, an adventurous and rich woman, and a mother of eleven who has led her farm to success. The way the three of them celebrate each other just adds to my love for it. I appreciate the books deep respect for the cultures of the several immigrant communities who developed Nebraska into what it is now and appreciate the strong stance, through Jim’s character, that Cather takes against those who look down on the diversity of culture in the countryside. I love that Jim values Ántonia’s culture so much, visiting her home land and referring to her language as a rich, old language. Additionally, I think the book represents well the hardship Ántonia went through, especially with her father’s death, and shows how she is able to find joy while also still carrying him with her. Finally, the value the book puts on the past and shared childhoods, emphasizes by the epigraph, optima dies.. prima fugit, makes it a splendidly nostalgic experience. The book is at once melancholy and hopeful. Overall, I really appreciate this novels representation of and respect for the diversity which existed in the great plains in its early days and the nostalgic feel of the story. Jim’s overwhelming respect and love for Ántonia really drives the book home. As always, Willa Cather delivers with another quaint, country masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Murder
tradepaperback's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder
allbettesareoff's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
librarymouse's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Reading My Ántonia felt like reading the Little House on the Prairie books for the first time again. It was a calm, immersive experience, and I greatly enjoyed it. It didn't trivialize the hardships the early settlers faced, but it also showcased their joy and love.
Following the lives of these characters from childhood through adulthood made them all the more lovable, and I was happy that many of them found joy in ways that they hadn't been predicted to when they were young.
I fell a little bit in love with Lena Lingard. Her early characterization as the town whore, followed by an in depth look at her reality as a sweet, beautiful girl whose beauty and personality drew people in, and who just wanted to have an adulthood far different than the one she watched her parents have made her so likable. I loved that there wasn't really a rivalry between the young women in the novel, and that Jim was able to love them all in a variety of ways without the relationship being sexual or causing tension in their group. Jim was an interesting character. His marriage that was mentioned in the beginning of the book felt impulsive in a way that he doesn't seem to be in the rest of the novel. He, in all of his adventures and life stages reads as a friendly, sexually non-threatening man, and I love him, the novel, and Will Cather all the more for it.
Following the lives of these characters from childhood through adulthood made them all the more lovable, and I was happy that many of them found joy in ways that they hadn't been predicted to when they were young.
I fell a little bit in love with Lena Lingard. Her early characterization as the town whore, followed by an in depth look at her reality as a sweet, beautiful girl whose beauty and personality drew people in, and who just wanted to have an adulthood far different than the one she watched her parents have made her so likable. I loved that there wasn't really a rivalry between the young women in the novel, and that Jim was able to love them all in a variety of ways without the relationship being sexual or causing tension in their group. Jim was an interesting character. His marriage that was mentioned in the beginning of the book felt impulsive in a way that he doesn't seem to be in the rest of the novel. He, in all of his adventures and life stages reads as a friendly, sexually non-threatening man, and I love him, the novel, and Will Cather all the more for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Animal death