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I do love to read Willa Cather. But the final chapters of this book were disappointing. I am not familiar with German opera. The references were too much for me and spoiled the reading.
Of Cather's 3 Great Plains novels, this one is far and away my favourite, mainly because of the book's focus on Thea. Even though it's in third person, Thea's story is fully hers, unlike Ántonia's (told through Jim), or Alexandra Bergsons' (which isn't complete until Carl returns).
I would've happily done without the final chapter, however; I was happy not to know what happened with Fred, because it was entirely unnecessary to what Thea became. Also, I didn't find Tillie compelling at all and wasn't particularly concerned with the fate of either Moonstone or the other Kronborgs.
Aside from that last chapter, though, and some language issues (it was written in 1915, so that's more or less expected), this is a solid, quiet, lovely book.
I would've happily done without the final chapter, however; I was happy not to know what happened with Fred, because it was entirely unnecessary to what Thea became. Also, I didn't find Tillie compelling at all and wasn't particularly concerned with the fate of either Moonstone or the other Kronborgs.
Aside from that last chapter, though, and some language issues (it was written in 1915, so that's more or less expected), this is a solid, quiet, lovely book.
I've read this book over and over... and will probably read it over and over again.
This was by far the longest of Cather's works I've read, and I prefer her more succinct novels. But there is a lot of fabulous writing in this book. Mainly, it portrays what it takes to become a true artist - natural talent, friends that are willing to sacrifice and endless drive to meet personal standards. The main character, Thea Kronberg, is first a pianist and then an opera singer. I enjoyed the coziness of the first half which chronicled her childhood from 12 to her late teens. I was a little dismayed when she steels herself to become great that this was going to be another "sacrifice goodness for artistic achievement" tale but it was so much more than that. Thea did give up a lot of the qualities I liked about her, but she gained others and by the end, I was proud of how she had turned out, as were the people who truly loved her. Not being an artist, I wouldn't have made the choices she did, but for someone determined to be an artist at all costs, Thea Kronberg went about it the right way.
Cather's writing style is different than My Antonia and O Pioneers! It's not the tight poetry those other works are but it's an episodic following of Thea's growth. Some scenes feel like perfect film scenes, for instance when Fred is playing the piano and Landry is listening and chatting in between. The dialogue is so natural and at ease that many parts feel as though we are with Cather observing the lives of these people in their natural habitat.
All in all, as with all of Cather's works, I find this a very different, fresh book unencumbered by predictability.
Cather's writing style is different than My Antonia and O Pioneers! It's not the tight poetry those other works are but it's an episodic following of Thea's growth. Some scenes feel like perfect film scenes, for instance when Fred is playing the piano and Landry is listening and chatting in between. The dialogue is so natural and at ease that many parts feel as though we are with Cather observing the lives of these people in their natural habitat.
All in all, as with all of Cather's works, I find this a very different, fresh book unencumbered by predictability.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is certainly one of my favorite books! It is about the creative process. The main character is an opera singer but it treats universal themes about becoming and being an artist. I like Willa Cather so much. I bought the biography but haven't read it yet.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really unique and interesting account of a woman from her early childhood through her maturation and the accomplishment of her career goals. Not the sort of thing you'd expect from a 1910's frontier novel.
The main character is Thea Kronborg, a musician and singer. Everyone else in the book is in her orbit. Her family, her teachers, supporters, and men who love her in different ways. One thing that was difficult in reading the book is that Thea didn't have female friendships outside of her mother and aunt.
The book could have been edited down a lot. The adult portion, especially, seemed to meander. But overall, well worth reading. I've been reading Willa Cather's books in order so now it's on to My Ántonia!
The main character is Thea Kronborg, a musician and singer. Everyone else in the book is in her orbit. Her family, her teachers, supporters, and men who love her in different ways. One thing that was difficult in reading the book is that Thea didn't have female friendships outside of her mother and aunt.
The book could have been edited down a lot. The adult portion, especially, seemed to meander. But overall, well worth reading. I've been reading Willa Cather's books in order so now it's on to My Ántonia!
I read this after reading O Pioneers, which is much shorter. Song of the Lark has the same descriptive language and strong female lead, but I didn't think the story was as interesting. It seemed esoteric, actually; maybe if I were a musician I wouldn't have grown tired of it 3/4 of the way through. It did make me want to find out more about Willa Cather, though, to figure out how she connected to this heroine. I think I'll read her biography before tackling more of her writing.