My Antonia
by Willa Cather
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Book Reviews of My Antonia
Book Review: Jim and Antonia
Summary: 4 Stars
How have I missed this wonderful book until now? Apparently, it's a "must read" for many high schoolers, and yet I just discovered it (in late midlife). If, however, I had read it as a 16-year-old, I probably wouldn't have appreciated it in the same way. Then I might have thought, "Ho hum, it's a book about a bunch of immigrants trying to make their way in America, and at the heart of a story is a sort of puppy love relationship between Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda."
My perspective now is much different. Yes, it's a story of immigrants in the USA, especially those in Nebraska. The Swedes, Bohemians, and Russians are all working SO HARD to succeed in this great land, and the reader follows their ups and downs as they mature and have families and professions of their own.
I couldn't help but think in a sociological sense of how some things never change: they're always the "town people," the upstarts, the poor folk, the "loose" women, the educated, the people of privilege, and so forth. There are always people who look down on others and people who try to cheat those whom they believe to be ignorant or unworthy in some way. The plight of the Russian immigrants, Peter and Pavel, is a good example of this, just like those who today fall victim to the loan sharks.
The need for community and strong relationships is also something that's still true today. If not for each other, many families would have perished on the plains. Within groups, there are always those who are especially special to us, and Jim and Antonia form a special bond that lasts a lifetime (or at least until the book ends). They first meet as a child and young teen, and at book's end, Jim's a successful lawyer who visits Antonia and her large family on their farm. Although the latter's life is hard, it is rich, and she is full of zest and love. He, on the other hand, seems to have a somewhat barren life despite his aura of success. I especially love the scene in which Cather describes Antonia and her happy brood of children as they surround her.
Speaking of scenes, Cather is a master at describing the landscapes, people, and situations in the community of Black Hawk. I could see the red grass, the tall grandmother, the setting sun, Otto Fuchs, the Shimerda's cave, and the community dances. I will NEVER forget the "night of the wolves" and the horror it evoked. Then, as now, life can be both fulfilling and dangerous, and a day of love and laughter can turn dark in an instant.
Book Review: Quite Possibly My Favorite Book of All Time
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book first when I was in High School and was given Willa Cather as the artist I needed to read 3 books by and then find the similarities and common themes. I read My Antonia, O Pioneers and Death Comes for the Archbishop. I read this book the second time in college when I was leaving for a road trip and grabbed this book from my shelf instead of a new book I had purchased for the occasion. I read this book for a third time on a long flight from Seattle to Portugal, and I can now safely say that this book may be one of the best written books I've ever read.
Willa Cather has the unique ability to turn prose into a conscious memory for me. After completeing My Antonia for a 3rd time recently I feel as though I might have lived this life years ago and that I too knew these characters intimately. They were real people that lived very real lives, not the characters of a literary mastermind. Even the people that come and go in this novel will touch you and when Cather ends their involvement in the book by explaining that they were never heard from again, you think about the people that have come and gone in your own life that you know longer know anything about.
Her description of Nebraskan fields is so rich you may forget you're reading text and swear in retrospect the book contained photos.
There is an excerpt from My Antonia that I recorded in my journal after completing it this most recent 3rd time that I'll share as it epitimizes my review:
"The pale, cold light of the winter sunset did not beautify - it was like the light of truth itself. When the smoky clouds hung low in the west and red sun went down behind them, leaving a pink flush on the snowy roofs and the blue drifts, then the wind sprang up afresh, with a kind of bitter song, as if it said: "This is reality, whether you like it or not. All those frivolities of summer, the light and the shadow, the living mask of green that trembled over everything, they were lies, and this is what was underneath. This is the truth." It was as if we were being punished for loving the loveliness of summer."
Book Review: A Dark Prairie Story
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read this book before, and I forgot how truly beautiful it really is. Jim is an Eastern boy, sent out West to live with his grandparents. getting off the train in Black Hawk, the small town nearby their farm, he meets up with a poor immigrant family from Bohemia (today part of the Czech Republic), and is particularly struck by one of the daughters, Antonia. They ride together to their respective farms, and the friendship between the two families is struck.
Antonia's father is an artist, but upon arrival in the US, he is stripped of all his monies. The family struggles and lives in a sod house in horrid conditions, exacerbated by the inability of the mother to keep a decent home. But there is little that can keep the exuberant and spirit filled Antonia down. Her beauty, charm and innocence makes her beloved by many, but especially by Jim. This story is told by Jim, and through hi voice, Cather paints a lovely portrait of a tough young woman, her physical and emotional person strengthened by hardship, but tempered by wistfulness and an innate appreciation of beauty.
The writing in this story is absolutely lyrical. I was tearful through the last chapter, some of the passages were like poetry. Although this is not a sad story, it is a story of a pioneer woman, and a reminder that our country was built on the backs of immigrant families and women like these to become the bread basket of the world. It is easy to forget that in our currently xenophobic state here in the US. Another classic that should be read in high schools throughout our country, as both a history lesson and a lesson in beautiful writing.
Book Review: A real love story
Summary: 5 Stars
Told through the voice of her childhood friend Jim Burden, Antonia becomes a beloved character for what she endures, what she gives out and mostly how she inspires. Antonia is an immigrant girl who moves with her family to the plains of Nebraska. There is so much in this book, people learning to accept immigrants and their customs, people getting along, childhood memories, and yet My Antonia is mostly about a woman, her choices, her value and the endurance of love.
This book has been sitting on my shelf for about a year or so. I needed a change of pace and picked it up, I could smack myself for not doing so sooner. I loved My Antonia. It is hard for me to explain all the reasons, but I know that the most significant was the value of unending love and friendship. Jim holds his love for Antonia for years and years, if not in his day to day life in his memory. The unyielding life that the main characters show and just the nitty-gritty of growing up as pioneers is extremely enchanting.
Technically I read this this year (2009) but I can still say that it is in my top 5 books ever. I tried and failed to find even one imperfection with My Antonia, I am stunned by Willa Cather's ability, she did win the Pulitzer prize and know for sure I will have to grab another of her books soon. My Antonia was simple, beautiful and I enjoyed reading every word.
Book Review: masterpiece of frontier life
Summary: 5 Stars
My Antonia is a masterpiece of frontier life and a great novel. It is written in an episodic style that is effective but I can see why some people may not like it. The writing style is typical of Cather which means it is clear descriptive and compelling. Cather is one of the great technicians of the English language and I found the potrayal of frontier life and the characters compelling.The nove l shouildnt be assigned to young teenagers who tend to want wall tyo wall action or mindless sentimentality bu tho those who want a novel with some depth can appreciate stylistic virousity and am not opposed on principle to reading about pioneer life they will discover a truly great novel