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A review by lelia_t
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
4.0
According to the biography by Hermione Lee, Willa Cather said she saw the narrative of Death Comes for the Archbishop as if it moved along on two white mules who weren’t in a hurry. That is, apparently, a pace I quite enjoy.
Despite the geographical scope of the book and the tumultuous times in which it’s set, the story is a quiet one. Latour’s contemplative brand of spirituality, Vaillant’s active effort on behalf of the church, the native tribes’ timeless connection to rocks, water and the Mexican people’s daily rituals show the variety of ways people live a spiritual life. There are also the characters who use their spiritual authority to take advantage of others or indulge in unbridled sensuality (something that is clearly differentiated from an appreciation of aesthetic splendor or a recognition of the spiritual power of the natural world).
The theme that Cather seems to return is what kind of mark does a spiritual person leave on the world? Or is any visible sign left at all? Do you build a cathedral? Touch people’s hearts? Or “pass and leave no trace, like fish through the water, or birds through the air?”
Despite the geographical scope of the book and the tumultuous times in which it’s set, the story is a quiet one. Latour’s contemplative brand of spirituality, Vaillant’s active effort on behalf of the church, the native tribes’ timeless connection to rocks, water and the Mexican people’s daily rituals show the variety of ways people live a spiritual life. There are also the characters who use their spiritual authority to take advantage of others or indulge in unbridled sensuality (something that is clearly differentiated from an appreciation of aesthetic splendor or a recognition of the spiritual power of the natural world).
The theme that Cather seems to return is what kind of mark does a spiritual person leave on the world? Or is any visible sign left at all? Do you build a cathedral? Touch people’s hearts? Or “pass and leave no trace, like fish through the water, or birds through the air?”