Sunday 18 March 2012

My Antonia by Willa Cather

I’d seen My Antonia featured on several lists of ‘best American fiction’ so decided to give it a read. It was my first Willa Cather book and I picked it up knowing little about it.

My Antonia is difficult to define. Some might say it’s a book about growing up, about love, romance or maybe relationships. Personally I see it as all four tied together in the barren setting of 19th century provincial Nebraska. The story focusses on the lives of the people who live in or near the small prairie town of Black Hawk, in particular the narrator, Jim Burden. The Antonia of the title is Antonia Shimerda, a Bohemian immigrant who settles at a farm in Black Hawk with her family.
There are many characters, all interesting and compelling in their own way. Some are written about in more detail than others but there are no weak spots in this respect, some characters come and go but all of them have a story to tell.

The book is bursting with nostalgia not just for a childhood spent but about the older, simpler days on the frontier. I was utterly taken in by the story which is in turns sad and uplifting (just like life which it reflects so well) there is plenty of excitement intermingled with moments of prose and reflection which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

The book is short but I found it felt like it was much longer, this isn’t a criticism but rather saying that Cather created such a rich, detailed and enthralling book that you feel it lasts longer than it does. I still don’t know how she managed to squeeze in so much content in such an unhurried way.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it is a masterpiece and now a firm favourite.

5/5
Chris

PS Jess has asked me to put in a line letting you know that we have finally worked out how to remove the new word verification used by blogger

15 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this too, and like you I thought it was very nostalgic - to the point that the hardships the characters went through didn't feel 'real'.
    My review: http://tinylibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/my-antonia-by-willa-cather.html

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    1. Sam,

      Thanks for your response. Personally I didn't feel the nostalgia made the story less real. Sometimes nostalgia can be used too much but on this occasion I don't think it was. Thanks for the link.

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  2. I loved this book. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'm going disagree with Sam above. I didn't think the book was really about hardship, though hardships were there certainly. I think it's a kind of love letter the narrator writes to the women he has known.

    There is a nostalgic feel to the book, I agree, but it's the nostalgia most people feel for their own youth whether or not is was a difficult one. I thought it all felt very real.

    I also wondered why it doesn't have a larger readership. It's marvelous.

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    1. C.B,

      I agree thoroughly with you and i'm not sure why it doesn't have more readers. I'll be promoting it wherever I can!

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  3. This is one of my very favorite novels so I am always very pleased when I find another convert! Willa Cather is such an amazing writer - I hope you'll seek out some of her other novels. They are all fulfilling in different ways.

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    1. Anbolyn,

      I'm planning to read more Cather soon, specifically O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. I didn't realise the three books were linked and technically I started with the last one! But My Antonia is fantastic as a standalone book anyway :o)

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  4. I love Willa Cather. I'm planning on re-reading My Antonia soon, and looking forward to it. I share your amazement at how she managed to fit so much into a relatively small book. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

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    1. Melody,

      This is definately a book i'll be re-reading soon. I also get the impression it's one of those books that you notice more in it the next time you read it

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  5. Agreed.. one of my favorites! I found that I just didn't enjoy her other work as much as I did this one. I especially loved Antonia's character - such strength. I felt like the wrap up was a perfect ending to any book!

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    1. Beth,

      For me the ending was bittersweet a little but I couldn't imagine it ending any other way really. It was the right way for it to end.

      Jessica didn't think much of O Pioneers! but i'm going to read it anyway and see how it fares next to My Antonia

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  6. I've always wanted to read this one. Of course, you made it sound really good, so now I must.

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    1. Ti,

      It is really good! :o) give it a try you won't regret it

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  7. As much as I love My Antonia (definitely a 5 in my book), I enjoyed O Pioneers! even more. Thanks for removing word verification.

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  8. JoAnn,

    O Pioneers! Is the next Cather I am going to pick up. Did you review it on your blog? I'd be interested to read your views

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    1. Chris - I read O Pioneers! several year before blogging, so unfortunately no posts :-( I do hope to read another of her novels sometime this year... there are several waiting on my shelf.

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