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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Like looking through a window into 19th century Nebraska, but like looking through a window, everyone seems a bit at an arm's distance.
I read this with the intent of possibly adding it to my 9th grade English curriculum; I read My Antonia as a high schooler myself many moons ago and honestly hated it 🤣 but really needed a short book written by a woman to add to my classes.
And…wow! I love this story so much. From the opening pages that feature a little boy trying to get his cat out of a tree, to the final pages that felt like closing the door on a major saga rather than a 110ish page novel, I was hooked.
I’m amazed at the amount of life Cather covered in this book. Even more than that, I am absolutely obsessed with Alexandra. All the characters in the book are fascinating in their own rite, but Alexandra’s story as a successful woman running a farm honestly blew me away. I’m really excited to add this to my curriculum and see what conversations it generates with my students!
And…wow! I love this story so much. From the opening pages that feature a little boy trying to get his cat out of a tree, to the final pages that felt like closing the door on a major saga rather than a 110ish page novel, I was hooked.
I’m amazed at the amount of life Cather covered in this book. Even more than that, I am absolutely obsessed with Alexandra. All the characters in the book are fascinating in their own rite, but Alexandra’s story as a successful woman running a farm honestly blew me away. I’m really excited to add this to my curriculum and see what conversations it generates with my students!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A beautifully written book. The way the Land is described is breathtaking. The cast of characters are intriguing. Definitely sad but also beautiful. Felt a tad rushed at end but maybe it's just because I was enjoying it so much. If you like O Antonia, you'll enjoy this.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This well-written book is worth a read from the perspective of what was popular when it was published. There isn't much plot and what there is comes off as very dated.
O Pioneers! is a novel that is more concerned with painting a portrait of pioneer life in Nebraska at the turn of the century rather than plot. However, this is no ordinary group of settlers Cather chooses to follow. Her main character, Alexandra Bergson, is chosen by her father on his deathbed to run their farm and household affairs in whatever manner she seems fit, to the dismay of her younger brothers Lou and Oscar. Alexandra proves herself to be a capable, intelligent businesswoman, who finds a way to make the land which did not want to be tamed a profitable empire and charming, close knit community. I also admired that Cather let her main character be unconcerned with marriage in a time when that was mostly the central thing in life that women of the time were groomed to sought after. When Alexandra does decide to marry, she is over forty years old, at a level of success when she can do as she pleases, and chooses to do so because she wants to, not because she feels it is what she is supposed to do. My problem with this novel is that it has a protagonist as revolutionary as Alexandra, but does not realize what a revolution she is.
Listened to through Hoopla from JCPL.
Listening length six hr
Listening length six hr
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes