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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
"We can remember the graveyard when it was wild prairie, Carl, and now-"
"And now the old story has begun to write itself over there," said Carl softly. "Isn't it queer: there are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before; like the larks in this country, that have been singing the same five notes over for thousands of years."
"And now the old story has begun to write itself over there," said Carl softly. "Isn't it queer: there are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before; like the larks in this country, that have been singing the same five notes over for thousands of years."
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Having recently read Lonesome Dove, I was really looking forward to O Pioneers! as a companion read. I was expecting to find out who were the nameless European homesteaders that had left everything behind and settled in this wild land? What made them move across the ocean, and then across a country? Why did they choose to work the land, when many of them didn't even have experience in agriculture? Let's just say that I was really expecting something very different from this book - More plot? More character development? I was definitely not expecting this pastoral vignette. Some passages were beautifully written, but overall I found it dull. If this is supposed to be a masterpiece, I am definitely not reading any more of her novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Medical trauma
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is set in Nebraska Prairies and is the story of Alexandra Bergson who is left in charge of the family after the death of her father.
It’s about a land that is hostile to its early inhabitants and how the family and people there make do. It also talks of their struggle to survive and later succeed.
.
I loved Alexandra’s character as a matriarch, she is a badass and extremely intelligent when it comes to farming and is kind to people from all walks of life. The book also throws light on the life of early migrants to America, the Swedes, Germans, French and Bohemians.
.
Cather has described the land so beautifully that it’s a character on its own. I loved the book, the only issue I had was it’s ending.... a little too clean and unexpected, like the author has tried to impose her opinions on a character that is completely different what you expect from it. Those last 15-20 pages would seem a little bizarre but it doesn’t take away much from the book.
It’s about a land that is hostile to its early inhabitants and how the family and people there make do. It also talks of their struggle to survive and later succeed.
.
I loved Alexandra’s character as a matriarch, she is a badass and extremely intelligent when it comes to farming and is kind to people from all walks of life. The book also throws light on the life of early migrants to America, the Swedes, Germans, French and Bohemians.
.
Cather has described the land so beautifully that it’s a character on its own. I loved the book, the only issue I had was it’s ending.... a little too clean and unexpected, like the author has tried to impose her opinions on a character that is completely different what you expect from it. Those last 15-20 pages would seem a little bizarre but it doesn’t take away much from the book.
If you consider the ideas that existed at the time—regarding the roles of men and women—this was published, it’s easy to see why it would have been hailed as extraordinarily progressive.
Alexandra Bergson is tasked with continuing the progress her father made, after he dies and leaves her control of the family’s 600 acre homestead. Unable to depend on his sons (who are too simple-minded), he is more confident in his daughter’s ability to have success.
Against all odds, Alexandra proves she was the best choice, but it all comes at a cos. By age 40, she has yet to find the love and personal happiness she longs to experience, and wonders if the sacrifice was worth it.
I won’t say I was riveted, but I was impressed by the strength and resolve Alexandra continued to have, despite the opposition and jealousy she encountered from her brothers. Even when tragedy and misfortune struck, she stayed the course and found a way to keep things in perspective.
The only thing I didn’t care for, which is more indicative of my living in a far more progressive era, was the notion Alexandra couldn’t have both. She didn’t have to choose, but lived as if that were the case.
In the end, that was the most heartbreaking part of the story.
Alexandra Bergson is tasked with continuing the progress her father made, after he dies and leaves her control of the family’s 600 acre homestead. Unable to depend on his sons (who are too simple-minded), he is more confident in his daughter’s ability to have success.
Against all odds, Alexandra proves she was the best choice, but it all comes at a cos. By age 40, she has yet to find the love and personal happiness she longs to experience, and wonders if the sacrifice was worth it.
I won’t say I was riveted, but I was impressed by the strength and resolve Alexandra continued to have, despite the opposition and jealousy she encountered from her brothers. Even when tragedy and misfortune struck, she stayed the course and found a way to keep things in perspective.
The only thing I didn’t care for, which is more indicative of my living in a far more progressive era, was the notion Alexandra couldn’t have both. She didn’t have to choose, but lived as if that were the case.
In the end, that was the most heartbreaking part of the story.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cleanly written and deeply moving. One of the great books about America's heritage.
emotional
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:
No
On our drive from Ohio to Oregon at the end of January this year, I insisted that we detour from our planned route to visit the geographic/geodetic center of the lower 48 states. In order to do this we ended up taking lesser traveled state routes though most of Kansas and Nebraska, which led to our passing through Red Cloud, NE, on our way back to I-80.
Why is this relevant? Because Red Cloud, NE, is the town where Willa Cather spent her "formative" years, and on which she based many of her novels' places and characters. It's also hauntingly beautiful country and I'm determined to visit again when I have more time to spend there. Passing through Red Cloud left me determined to read Cather's works.
And, ok: I LOVE THIS BOOK. It's just really, really good. It's very agrarian, progressive, subtle, and powerfully moving. Of course, it features some of my favorite things: impossibly practical yet quirky Swedes, the prairie, and the promise of Alaskan adventure, so... I might be biased. What can I say? The prairie has gotten under my skin.
Even if you're not as into all that as I am, it's well worth a read. I highly recommend it!
Why is this relevant? Because Red Cloud, NE, is the town where Willa Cather spent her "formative" years, and on which she based many of her novels' places and characters. It's also hauntingly beautiful country and I'm determined to visit again when I have more time to spend there. Passing through Red Cloud left me determined to read Cather's works.
And, ok: I LOVE THIS BOOK. It's just really, really good. It's very agrarian, progressive, subtle, and powerfully moving. Of course, it features some of my favorite things: impossibly practical yet quirky Swedes, the prairie, and the promise of Alaskan adventure, so... I might be biased. What can I say? The prairie has gotten under my skin.
Even if you're not as into all that as I am, it's well worth a read. I highly recommend it!