Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: The Song of the Lark Author: Willa Cather ISBN: 0-395-34530-8 Publisher: Mariner Books Type of book: Singing, art, Colorado Moonstone, New York, fame, past, nature, 1880s?-1909, training, sacrifice, second generation, talent, people, isolation, loneliness Year it was published: 1915 Summary: In this celebrated story of a young woman's awakening as an artist, Thea Kronborg struggles to escape the confines of her small Colorado town without losing the strength and courage she derives from her pioneering heritage. Characters: The book completely centers on Thea, the same as characters who talk about Thea all the time. Yet despite all that, Thea remains very mysterious and is best described as pragmatic, dedicated and somewhat selfish. She is also kind of stunted when it comes to having relationships or how to relate to people outside of music, or to even recognize their foibles and talents. There are other characters such as Dr. Archie, the music te...

Name of book: O Pioneers Author Name: Willa Cather ISBN: 0-486-27785-2 Publisher:  Dover Thrift Type of book:  Young adult to adult, Prairie, Nebraska, immigrants, old way of life, new way of life, 1880s?-1900s? Year it was published: 1913 (version I have 1993) Summary: Set on the Nebraska prairie where Willa Cather (1873-1947) grew up, this powerful early novel tells the story of the young Alexandra Bergson, whose dying father leaves her in charge of the family and of the lands they have struggled to farm. In Alexandra's long fight to survive and succeed, O Pionners! relates an important chapter in the history of the American frontier. Evoking the harsh grandeur of the prairie, this landmark of American fiction unfurls a saga of love, greed, murder, failed dreams and hard-won triump. In the fateful interaction of her characters, Willa Cather compares with keen insight the experiences of Swedish, French and Bohemian immigrants in the United states. And in h...

Name of book: My Antonia Author Name: Willa Cather ISBN: 0-553-21418-7 Publisher: Bantam classic Type of book: Young adult-adult, prairie, immigrants, Nebraska, late 1800s-early 1900s Year it was published: 1918 (version I have 1994) Summary: Antonia Shimerda returns to Black Hawk, Nebraska, to make a fresh start after eloping with a railway conductor following the tragic death of her father. Accustomed to living in a sod house and toiling alongside the men in the fields, she is unprepared for the lecherous reaction her lush sensuality provokes when she moves to the city. Despite betrayal and crushing opposition, Antonia steadfastly pursues her quest for happiness-a moving struggle that mirrors the quiet drama of the American landscape. Characters: Some characters always described Antonia as special and whatnot, but maybe its me, but I didn't understand how and why she was special. The characters are all interesting, although the author chose to get rid of...