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A review by wkelly15
The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather
5.0
Although this is one of Willa Cather's longer novels, I hope length does not deter another soul from reading it. I will admit that Cather spends a good deal - perhaps too much - of her time individually illustrating each of her characters (sometimes one chapter per character). However, it should be noted that by 1915, the time of publication, Cather had established herself as a writer in her own style. *Song of the Lark* is an important landmark in that authorial development because Cather committed herself to theatrical-like character development and substantial relationships within the novel. This, for me, gives the novel life and an anchoring point within which readers can lose themselves.
Thea, the main character, is "uncommon" by the standards of her small Colorado town. She is determined and goal-oriented, unsatisfied with being another music teacher in the long line of Moonstone instructors. Her personality was the seed that friends along the way helped grow. Of course, as is the case in many small towns in America, some citizens of Moonstone - including her own family - end up resenting Thea's talents and accomplishments. These locals operated on the misconception that Thea had forgotten her roots. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thea - like Willa Cather herself - always found comfort and inspiration in Moonstone and the people she met there. I think the very last line of the book in the epilogue sums this perception up nicely, but I will let you discover that connection on your own time.
It is clear that this book of Cather's is semi-autobiographical. Moonstone is Red Cloud, of course; but, there are steady threads of autobiographical content streaming throughout the book to its very last pages. This should be concepts to which much attention is paid.
I had the fortune of reading this book in Red Cloud, Nebraska; Cather's home starting from age nine. Six of Cather's twelve novels are based in Red Cloud because, like Thea, Cather always gained inspiration from her memory of hometown. I would encourage all those reading any Cather book to do so in Red Cloud so you can physically see and walk the streets and houses that inspired one of America's greatest writers. (see The National Willa Cather Center: https://www.willacather.org/)
Thea, the main character, is "uncommon" by the standards of her small Colorado town. She is determined and goal-oriented, unsatisfied with being another music teacher in the long line of Moonstone instructors. Her personality was the seed that friends along the way helped grow. Of course, as is the case in many small towns in America, some citizens of Moonstone - including her own family - end up resenting Thea's talents and accomplishments. These locals operated on the misconception that Thea had forgotten her roots. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thea - like Willa Cather herself - always found comfort and inspiration in Moonstone and the people she met there. I think the very last line of the book in the epilogue sums this perception up nicely, but I will let you discover that connection on your own time.
It is clear that this book of Cather's is semi-autobiographical. Moonstone is Red Cloud, of course; but, there are steady threads of autobiographical content streaming throughout the book to its very last pages. This should be concepts to which much attention is paid.
I had the fortune of reading this book in Red Cloud, Nebraska; Cather's home starting from age nine. Six of Cather's twelve novels are based in Red Cloud because, like Thea, Cather always gained inspiration from her memory of hometown. I would encourage all those reading any Cather book to do so in Red Cloud so you can physically see and walk the streets and houses that inspired one of America's greatest writers. (see The National Willa Cather Center: https://www.willacather.org/)