You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
This is my 2nd all time favorite Cather book.
I can't think of a better book that describes the wrestle and pull of roots.
If youth did not matter so much to itself, it would never have the heart to go on. (p.103)
He knew that the splendid things of life are few, after all, and so very easy to miss. (p. 103)
He and all that he recalled, lived for her as memories. In sleep, and in hours of illness or exhaustion, she went back to them and held them to her heart. But they were better as memories. They had nothing to do with the struggle that made up her actual life. She felt drearily that she was not flexible enough to be the person her old friend expected her to be, the person she herself wished to be with him. (p.272)
It came over him now that the unexpected favors of fortune, no matter how dazzling, do not mean very much to us. They may excite or divert us for a time, but when we look back, the only things we cherish are those which in some way met our original want; the desire which formed in us in early youth, undirected, and of its own accord. (p. 256)
I can't think of a better book that describes the wrestle and pull of roots.
If youth did not matter so much to itself, it would never have the heart to go on. (p.103)
He knew that the splendid things of life are few, after all, and so very easy to miss. (p. 103)
He and all that he recalled, lived for her as memories. In sleep, and in hours of illness or exhaustion, she went back to them and held them to her heart. But they were better as memories. They had nothing to do with the struggle that made up her actual life. She felt drearily that she was not flexible enough to be the person her old friend expected her to be, the person she herself wished to be with him. (p.272)
It came over him now that the unexpected favors of fortune, no matter how dazzling, do not mean very much to us. They may excite or divert us for a time, but when we look back, the only things we cherish are those which in some way met our original want; the desire which formed in us in early youth, undirected, and of its own accord. (p. 256)
challenging
inspiring
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:
Yes
At some point in this novel, I imagined a subtitle for it: "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman," especially as I'm convinced (without any facts to back it up) that it contains many autobiographical elements. I imagined that Thea's being different from the rest of her family, and from the others in the area she grew up in and loved, to be similar to Cather's experience as a burgeoning writer, also feeling the creative urge when she was a young child in her heart, was it, or under her cheek?... that sturdy little companion with whom she shared a secret.
Cather does a phenomenal job embodying how it might feel for any true artist: growing, despairing, caring deeply and passionately about her craft, succeeding by the world's standards but still reaching for an unachievable ideal. Though Thea's growth as an artist takes her to two major cities, Cather's depiction of the West is what stays with one. Gorgeous prose describes the cliff-dwellings of Arizona where time slows down and heals Thea. It later becomes an ironic contrast to the high-rise apartments of New York City.
I was surprised by the ending that takes us back to Thea's hometown and to one of her relatives. It was so lyrical, especially those last two beautiful sentences, that I forgot my initial reaction of pity for this relative, as that is not at all what Cather wants us to feel.
Cather does a phenomenal job embodying how it might feel for any true artist: growing, despairing, caring deeply and passionately about her craft, succeeding by the world's standards but still reaching for an unachievable ideal. Though Thea's growth as an artist takes her to two major cities, Cather's depiction of the West is what stays with one. Gorgeous prose describes the cliff-dwellings of Arizona where time slows down and heals Thea. It later becomes an ironic contrast to the high-rise apartments of New York City.
I was surprised by the ending that takes us back to Thea's hometown and to one of her relatives. It was so lyrical, especially those last two beautiful sentences, that I forgot my initial reaction of pity for this relative, as that is not at all what Cather wants us to feel.
reflective
relaxing
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
Front half depiction of Thea as young girl living with her family on the frontier, with Ray, and parts in Arizona cliff dwellings superb, 5*. Back half less compelling focused on Thea’s career, her mindset and dialogue does not have same emotional involvement, comes off rather flippant, isolated, and vain. Perhaps if I knew the opera pieces referenced, then I might appreciate the emphasis on the song difficulty and only Thea could excel. Stark contrast, 3* for the second part resulting in 4*.
Had to DNF it because the relationship between young Thea and Doctor Archie made me so uncomfortable. Lacked the charm of O Pioneers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This may have been my favorite of the Great Plains Trilogy. I'm so curious if Cather used her own experiences as inspiration for Thea's trajectory.
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A gorgeous exploration of girlhood, art, ambition, and sacrifice. Cather’s lyrical language soars in this examination of the rise of a small town preacher’s daughter to a renowned soprano. The landscape of the American West plays a central role in Thea’s journey of creative excellence - wild, beautiful, expansive, and unknowable. She is a singular creation - loyal and passionate but ultimately undeterred in pursuing her craft. A stunning read.