Scan barcode
A review by kategci
Alexander's Bridge by Willa Cather
4.0
Chris of Wildmoo Books and Thomas of The Readers have inspired me to read more of Willa Cather. I had read 2 over the past couple of years and have decided to read the rest in order this year. I picked this up while on a book jaunt with some other Booktoopians; the Melville House Novella edition drew me to it. This is set on the east coast of the US as well as Europe and is the story of a bridge architect who loses his way personally and professionally. He is unable to make a decision and thus he keeps hurting the people who are most important to him. As well, he ignores his conscious and does not make professional decisions. This was a quick read and not as deep as Cather's later works, but it is a great example of a flawed protagonist inadvertently destroying that which he is trying to save.
Addendum: I have reread this for a discussion with the Willa Cather book group I belong to and led by the aforementioned, Chris. I have a much better appreciation of this book as I have read all but 2 of Cather's other novels. I have increase my rating to 4 stars as it is well written. This is Cather's first published novel and while she was not as pleased with it as she was with later works, there are clear through lines connecting her novels. Description of place, clothes and scene are all strong in this book. At times, the main character, Bartley Alexander is a little overwrought and dramatic in his thoughts. In later novels, her characters seem to keep a tighter rein on their emotions. Overall, this is a quick, worthwhile read.
Addendum: I have reread this for a discussion with the Willa Cather book group I belong to and led by the aforementioned, Chris. I have a much better appreciation of this book as I have read all but 2 of Cather's other novels. I have increase my rating to 4 stars as it is well written. This is Cather's first published novel and while she was not as pleased with it as she was with later works, there are clear through lines connecting her novels. Description of place, clothes and scene are all strong in this book. At times, the main character, Bartley Alexander is a little overwrought and dramatic in his thoughts. In later novels, her characters seem to keep a tighter rein on their emotions. Overall, this is a quick, worthwhile read.