Author
Willa Cather
1873-1947
Willa Cather (1873-1947) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Willa Cather
My Ántonia
"My Ántonia" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1918. It follows orphaned Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, a Bohemian immigrant girl, as they arrive as children in the Nebraska frontier. Their friendship deepens through shared adventures and hardships on the harsh prairie. As they grow older, their paths diverge—Jim pursues education while Ántonia faces family tragedy and hard labor. The story explores memory, pioneering life, and the enduring bond between two people shaped by the American West.
O Pioneers!
"O Pioneers!" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1913. It follows Alexandra Bergson, a Swedish-American immigrant who inherits her family's Nebraska farmland and fights to build prosperity on the harsh prairie while neighbors abandon their dreams. As the land transforms under her determination, two forbidden romances unfold—one between Alexandra and an old friend, the other between her brother Emil and a married woman—testing loyalty, passion, and the price of survival in an unforgiving frontier.
The Song of the Lark
"The Song of the Lark" by Willa Cather is a novel written in 1915. It follows Thea Kronborg, a talented girl from a small Colorado town who dreams of becoming a musician. When a teacher discovers her remarkable singing voice, she leaves home to pursue vocal training in Chicago and beyond. The novel traces her artistic development and personal sacrifices as she climbs toward success, shedding relationships that no longer serve her ambition in the burgeoning American West.
The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories
"The Troll Garden" by Willa Cather is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book explores themes of art, life in rural America, and the struggles of individuals within the social fabric of their communities, often focusing on Norwegian immigrants. The opening of the collection introduces a character named Canute, who resides in a modest shanty near Rattlesnake Creek on the Nebraska plains. The narrative delves into Canute's solitary life, highlighting his profound loneliness, struggles with alcoholism, and the harsh realities of life on the Divide. As the story unfolds, it hints at Canute's complex relationships with his neighbors and introduces a budding romantic interest in Lena Yensen, setting the stage for a significant turning point in his life. The portrayal of Canute's internal conflicts, alongside his interactions with the surrounding environment, evokes a deep sense of melancholy and reflects the broader human experience found within Cather’s work.
Death comes for the archbishop
"Death Comes for the Archbishop" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1927. It follows a Catholic bishop and priest as they work to establish a diocese in New Mexico Territory during the late 19th century. Based on historical figures Jean-Baptiste Lamy and Joseph Projectus Machebeuf, the narrative weaves together their experiences confronting resistant clergy, befriending indigenous peoples, and navigating the challenges of faith on the American frontier. Through episodic storytelling and vivid characterization, Cather portrays the transformation of a vast, untamed landscape into an organized religious community.
One of Ours
"One of Ours" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1922 that won the Pulitzer Prize. It follows Claude Wheeler, a Nebraska farmer's son in the early twentieth century who struggles with a profound sense of restlessness and purposelessness despite his comfortable circumstances. Dissatisfied with farming, education, and a loveless marriage, Claude searches desperately for meaning—until World War I offers him an unexpected chance at transformation on the battlefields of France.
A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays
"A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays" by Willa Cather is a compilation of narratives, critiques, and contemplations written in the late 19th century. This collection likely explores themes from the author's life and the human experience, portraying characters faced with profound choices and societal challenges. Cather's writing often delves into the richness of rural life and individual struggles, appealing to readers interested in character-driven stories and insightful observations on life. The opening of the collection introduces us to the character of Peter Sadelack, an aging musician reflecting on his past glory as a second violinist in Prague, contrasting it with his current existence on a Nebraska homestead where he struggles for basic needs and fights against his son Antone's push to abandon his cherished violin. The narrative highlights Peter's longing for his nostalgic past and a bitter realization of his present circumstances, ultimately culminating in a tragic act of desperation. Cather sets the tone for the collection by intertwining themes of loss, memory, and the complex dynamics of family relationships, drawing readers into her poignant and richly textured storytelling.
Alexander's Bridge
"Alexander's Bridge" by Willa Cather is a novel first published in 1912. Bartley Alexander is a world-renowned bridge builder caught in a midlife crisis. Though married to Winifred in Boston, he rekindles a romance with former lover Hilda Burgoyne in London. Torn between two worlds, Bartley struggles with guilt and honor as his double life unravels. Meanwhile, a bridge project in Canada demands his attention, setting the stage for a devastating convergence of personal and professional crises.
The Professor's House
"The Professor's House" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1925. Professor Godfrey St. Peter clings to his dusty old study while his family moves forward, struggling with middle age and the haunting memory of Tom Outland, his brilliant former student who died in the Great War. As his daughters' marriages bring unwelcome change and material wealth derived from Outland's invention transforms those around him, the Professor confronts a deepening crisis about whether life still holds meaning worth living for.
A Lost Lady
"A Lost Lady" by Willa Cather is a novel published in 1923. It follows Marian Forrester, a charming socialite in the western railroad town of Sweet Water, as she navigates relationships with various suitors while her aging pioneer husband declines. Through young Niel Herbert's eyes, the story traces Marian's social fall, symbolizing the end of the American frontier and the shift from noble pioneering ideals to an era of capitalist exploitation. This influential work notably inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby."
April twilights, and other poems
"April Twilights, and Other Poems" by Willa Cather is a collection of poetry written in the early 20th century. This book comprises two parts: the first part, originally published in 1903, features Cather's early works, while the second part includes poems composed later. The themes explored in this collection revolve around nature, human emotion, nostalgia, and the fleeting essence of beauty and love. The poems in "April Twilights" reflect a rich tapestry of feelings and imagery, capturing moments of personal introspection and broader social observations. Through verses such as "Grandmither, Think Not I Forget" and "The Swedish Mother," Cather evokes a sense of longing for the past and the tenderness of familial connections. Many poems explore the contrasts between beauty and decay, as seen in pieces like "Poppies on Ludlow Castle," where vibrant imagery of nature is juxtaposed against the somber realities of mortality and loss. Cather's lyrical style and thoughtful exploration of universal themes make this collection resonate with readers who appreciate reflective and emotionally charged poetry.
Youth and the Bright Medusa
"Youth and the Bright Medusa" by Willa Cather is a collection of short stories penned in the early 20th century. The stories explore themes of youth, aspiration, and the complex relationships within the arts, focusing particularly on characters navigating the challenges of life in the artistic milieu of their time. At the start of the collection, the story "Coming, Aphrodite!" introduces Don Hedger, a struggling painter living in a dreary New York studio. His solitary existence is interrupted by the arrival of a new neighbor, Eden Bower, a young woman aspiring to be a singer. Don is drawn to her beauty and vitality but also feels the weight of his own artistic struggles and insecurities. As he grapples with his feelings and his identity as an artist, the initial interaction between Eden and Don reveals a tension between their contrasting worlds and aspirations, setting the stage for the evolving dynamics in their relationship. The opening portion thus establishes a rich backdrop for exploring themes of desire, ambition, and the often painful journey toward self-discovery in the realm of art and passion.