Recommended audience: Mature teen to adult
Category: Historical, classic, romance
Review: 4.5/5 
My book club really enjoyed My Antonia at last month's discussion. It is beautifully written and Willa Cather really brought the Nebraska of the late 1800's to life. The story is told in a memoir-like style by Jim Burden and focuses on how Antonia, a Bohemian immigrant (now the Czech Republic), influenced his life. Antonia is a strong, enduring character and one that our book club really enjoyed talking about. There were also many themes in this book that led to great discussions about immigration, women, family relationships, friendship, marriage, love, and women's rights. I would definitely recommend this book for any book club. I have to admit that when I read this book in my 11th grade American Literature class, I didn't like it at all. I thought it was boring and there wasn't really a plot which was very necessary for my reading enjoyment at the time. The romantic side of it wasn't quite what I expected from a "good read" either (if a book didn't have a good romantic plot to it, it wasn't worth my time back then). I was glad to see when I read this for a second time that I have matured as a reader. :)
7 comments:
Willa Cather is in my top 5 of favorite authors. She one the Pulitzer prize for "One of Ours" which is one of my favorite books.
I read this when I was 12, in the seventh grade. I remember staying up until around 3 am, and just sobbing over the ending. All the potential Antonia had! The beauty of their friendship! *sob* Such a good book, it's still one of my favorites.
I think that this is one of my favorites that we have read in book club. In fact I need to get my own copy, because it has earned a place on my book shelf.
This is one of my favorites--I should suggest it for my book club. I have Death Comes for the Archbishop by Cather right now from the library, and I have high hopes.
Jeanette--As soon as I saw your comment I checked to see if our library had "One of Ours". Can you believe that they don't? My library makes me crazy sometimes.
Stephanie--You were so much more mature than I was. I had a pretty bad attitude sometimes as a teenager. I probably didn't like it then because I was being "forced" to read it. How dumb!
Julie--That was a great book club book. There was so much to talk about.
Chain Reader--I'll look forward to your review of Death Comes for the Archbishop. I hope you enjoy it.
I'm new to your site, but I have to leave a comment for MY ANTONIA. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It reminds me of a friendship that I had with a college friend--we never got together because either he was dating someone or I was--but Cather accuratley depicts those beautiful feelings!
Welcome, Laura. Glad you stopped by and thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your experience with your college friend. I can see how this book would remind you of that.
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