The Song of the Lark (Vintage Classics)

Since I enjoyed "My Antonia", I decided to read the second novel in the Great Plains Trilogy. I am not sure if it is required to read the series in order. So far, I didn’t encounter any confusion."The Song of the Lark" tells the story of Thea, daughter of Swedish immigrants, who lived in Colorado in a little town named Moonstone. The story primarily sets mostly toward the end of 19th Century. Thea has musical innate talents such as her proficiency in piano but specially her voice. She has big dreams in life but will struggle much in life to attain the pinnacle in her artistic career as a soprano. Despite being alienated from the world in that little town, Thea will encounter loyal, caring friends who will help her achieve her goals. Professor Wunsch is her first piano professor who will inculcate the importance of learning German and the love of music. At the young age of 15, she will move to Chicago where she will encounter one of the best teacher in music who will discover her voice.There are a few similar aspects from "My Antonia". The first being the beautiful landscape descriptions. Despite my enjoyment, I thought they were more special and personal in "My Antonia". Here, the descriptions seemed a little detached and distant maybe because they mimicked this uncertainty and struggle Thea was going through at the time. I felt, at times, that these beautiful analogies and reflections kept one going around the bush and rendered one impatient. Nonetheless, the narration was poetic and symbiotic with nature. My favorite landscape description was of the Panther Canyon. The second similar element was the issue of discrimination among the different nationalities. It is clearly noted how some European immigrants would not mingled with the Mexicans. Thea’ brothers greatly criticized her spirit of diversity and of intermingling with other cultures.One of the primary theme discussed in this novel was the idea of innate talent and the sacrifices it demanded to become a true artist. It would be a life long mission. It’s one of the aspect I identified myself with. Thea was defined by her career endeavors and her struggles rendering her self-centered and alienated from others. Only those supporting her cause would she remain loyal too. It made you implicitly reflect on the lack of balance in her life and of the dangers. This will greatly separate her from her family and live a lonely life solely devoted to her career."But if she failed now, she would lose her soul. There was nowhere to fall, after one took that step , except into abysses of wretchedness."Cather, Willa Sibert (2012-05-16). The Song of the Lark (p. 221). . Kindle Edition.Thea would never be satisfied enough. She would always worry of new challenges that she had to conquer and missed her old times when they were more peaceful and simpler."My life is full of jealousies and disappointments, you know.I tell you, there is such a thing as creative hate! A contempt that drives you through fire, makes you risk everything and lose everything, makes you a long sight better than you ever knew you could be."Cather, Willa Sibert (2012-05-16). The Song of the Lark (p. 266). . Kindle Edition.I did not enjoy this novel as much as "My Antonia". However, the author well captured the complexities one goes through in becoming an artist, specially in those times. I felt the novel dragged and was longer than necessary. Even though I have not read the first novel of the trilogy, I recommend so far "My Antonia". I also listened to the audio narrated by Christine Williams. It was well done. I liked this narration much better than in "My Antonia" who was narrated by Jeff Cummings."Artistic growth is, more than it is anything else, a refining of the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy; only the artist, the great artist, knows how difficult it is."Cather, Willa Sibert (2012-05-16). The Song of the Lark (p. 277). . Kindle Edition.Great Plains Trilogy:1. Oh Pioneers!2. The Song of the Lark3. My Antonia

The title is taken from "The Song of the Lark" viewed by Thea Kronborg the heroine when she tours the Art Institue of Chicago. Thea is herself a songbird who soars to fame on the stage of the Met . Her background was humble. Thea was born in Moonstone Colorado. Her father was a pastor and she grew up in a large but not particularly close family. Like many immigrant families in the nineteenth century their heritage was from Sweden. Thea studies piano and voice in Chicago with money given her by a dying railroad man who loved yher but was killed in an accident. Thea refuses marriage to a wealthy beer heir and after a spiritual revelation in the cliff dwelling abandoned homes in Arizona devotes herself to her musical art. Willa Cather was Virginia born but grew up in Nebraska among farming folks. This book was published in 1915. Her other books about pioneer life in the southwestern United States are O Pioneers and My Antonia. Cather is great in her loving descriptions of nature and wildlife. The novel is long and poetically meditative. Little real action occurs but we delve into Thea's mind , heart and art. She comes across as isolated, cold and single minded in her restless ambition and desire to obtain success. A worthy book by a great American writer Willia Cather (1873-1947). Recommended.

While I feel this book was well written, I didn’t like it much. The first half was enjoyable, but the second half, and especially the last quarter, was a bit hard to get through. I found the main character, TheaKronborg, to be selfish and unlikeable, and only became more so as the book progressed. She seems to take so much from her friends and family and the only thing she gives back to them is her success and her voice, which they all seem to feel is worth it. The only sense of self-sacrifice on her part is for her art and through that for the people who are touched by it. I personally am not an artist of any kind so perhaps I just don’t understand what the author was getting at regarding the sacrifices of a true artists, but none of it appealed to anything within me. I could not follow the detailed conversations about music and the soul of an artist because it was all so foreign and philosophical to me. Personally, I find the idea of chasing success at all costs is a bit reprehensible, and that was a big theme in the story. There was a coldness and impersonality to the whole story that I just couldn’t shake. The characters just weren’t at all like those of Cather’s other books and I think perhaps my greatest disappointment was how different this book was from her others, which I enjoyed much more.

The Song of the Lark is rich in description, a truly sensuous novel, which evokes a vivid picture of life at the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries. I also liked the way that as the main character (Thea) travels to different parts of America, the author uses descriptions of the differing landscapes / environments to highlight Thea's emotional development.I became completely absorbed in this book and the only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is that I was disappointed with the last quarter of the book. The author gradually seems to become in a greater and greater hurry to finish the story and compacts the storyline to such an extent that towards the end I felt I was reading a synopsis rather than the actual novel.However it is certainly worth reading for the in depth characterisations during the first parts.

I don’t know whether this version has been translated into English by someone who can barely speak the language, but that’s how it reads- apparently Thea has an e-book! Very ahead of her time! I’ve read other Willa Cather books and this is not her usual language. I returned it but will purchase a different version, because I’m sure it is a wonderful story.

It was longer than it needed to be and lacked the atmosphere of the earlier time settings

A really lovely book, so descriptive, you can really get the feel of the characters and the places.I recommend this story to all who enjoy an indulgent read, it is not fast moving but it sets a beautiful slow pace.

I loved the story and I have enjoyed all of her books. This one however seemed to wax on philosophically a bit much, making the book quite a bit longer than it needed to be. Also, she is one of those writers who tend to describe the external surroundings to a point where it begins to distract from the actual narrative.