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Three Novels: O Pioneers!, the Song of the Lark, and My Antonia
Complete in one volume, here are three of the most adored works by early 20th-century writer Willa Cather. O PIONEERS! (1913) tells embodies American heroism in one pioneer woman. THE SONG OF THE LARK (1915) plots a great Wagnerian soprano's journey toward her destiny. MY ANTONIA (1918), is the story of a strong farm woman who still affirms her passion for the land after her father's suicide and desertion by her lover.
816 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 1998
764 people are currently reading
1266 people want to read
About the author
Willa Cather
879 books2,771 followersWilella Sibert Cather was born in Back Creek Valley (Gore), Virginia, in December 7, 1873.
She grew up in Virginia and Nebraska. She then attended the University of Nebraska, initially planning to become a physician, but after writing an article for the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor to this journal. Because of this, she changed her major and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.
After graduation in 1894, she worked in Pittsburgh as writer for various publications and as a school teacher for approximately 13 years, thereafter moving to New York City for the remainder of her life.
Her novels on frontier life brought her to national recognition. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, 'One of Ours' (1922), set during World War I. She travelled widely and often spent summers in New Brunswick, Canada. In later life, she experienced much negative criticism for her conservative politics and became reclusive, burning some of her letters and personal papers, including her last manuscript.
She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1943. In 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an award given once a decade for an author's total accomplishments.
She died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 73 in New York City.
She grew up in Virginia and Nebraska. She then attended the University of Nebraska, initially planning to become a physician, but after writing an article for the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor to this journal. Because of this, she changed her major and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.
After graduation in 1894, she worked in Pittsburgh as writer for various publications and as a school teacher for approximately 13 years, thereafter moving to New York City for the remainder of her life.
Her novels on frontier life brought her to national recognition. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, 'One of Ours' (1922), set during World War I. She travelled widely and often spent summers in New Brunswick, Canada. In later life, she experienced much negative criticism for her conservative politics and became reclusive, burning some of her letters and personal papers, including her last manuscript.
She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1943. In 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an award given once a decade for an author's total accomplishments.
She died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 73 in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 19, 2023
I've reached the point in my life where I realize I've been reading for over 60 years. That's my excuse for not always remembering a book in great detail, or even whether I've read a particular book already. I know I've read My Antonia and O Pioneers; not sure about Song of the Lark. I do know I've loved everything I've read by Willa Cather. Currently enjoying One of Ours.
This "trilogy" caught my eye and I had to mark it "read" in order to ask this question. Was this a marketing ploy, or did the author intend it as a trilogy? Just curious. Going to read or reread all 3 in order regardless.
This "trilogy" caught my eye and I had to mark it "read" in order to ask this question. Was this a marketing ploy, or did the author intend it as a trilogy? Just curious. Going to read or reread all 3 in order regardless.
January 21, 2019
these three books we excellent! i have not read late 19th century and early 20th century american literature in quite awhile. the language was archaic and quite racist at times. i have always expected that in american literature, but it was not blacks so much but eastern europeons. mexicans were treated quite well for that time, but i loved these 3 novels. willa cather described the back breaking labor that went into farming in nebraska and the surrounding areas so well. i loved my antonia, but song of the lark is my favorite. i would like to see an essay comparing and contrasting the heroines of both novels. she was able to really show how some people loved the earth and some who weren't and what they did about it. i do have one quibble and it is with amazon for making these classics so big it was 11 inches by 6 inches! that is why it took so long for me to read it! i almost wished i had an ereader!
October 13, 2018
Read “My Ántonia”— certainly one of the best works about the American Midwest and frontier values that I have read.
February 16, 2008
My favorite of these three was "My Antonia" what a great story and I think it is set in the great state of New Mexico if I remember right? My Dad gave me a collection of stories to read one summer and these were part of them.
December 2, 2023
The song of the lark
Thea is growing in a family of Baptist minister in Moonstone Colorado. After her music teaches decides to leave the village, she is asked to continue giving piano lessons to his former students. Thea is well loved by the people of Moonstone. She in turn likes dr. Archie and Caboose operator Ray Kennedy. Ray gets into an accident and dies. He leaves Thea his life insurance policy under condition she goes to Chicago to school. The family agrees and so she travels with Dr Archie east. She starts taking piano lessons with Andor Harsanyi and earning money singing in Swedish reformed church choir. Harsanyi discovers Thea has rather good voice and recommends her to start taking singing lessons. She meets a singer and brewery heir Fred Ottenburg who sends her to Arizona, takes her to Mexico and brings her to New York. Upon his encouragement she decides to travel to Germany to study singing. She returns to New York where she raises to fame in Opera performances. She finally marries Ottenburg.
My Antonia
The story of Bohemian and Scandinavian immigrants subduing prairie land of Nebraska. After the death of his both parents in Virginia, Jim Burden is sent to live with his grandparents on their farm in Nebraska. His arrival coincided with arrival of Shimerdas - an immigrant family from Bohemia. Jim becomes friend with Antonia Shimerda - girl of his age, and teaches her to speak and read English. After Jim’s grandparents move to town - Black Hawk, Antonia is hired by their neighbor as a helper. Jim continues his high school study in Lincoln where he reconnects with his neighbor Lena Lingard who started her dressmaking business there. Antonia goes to Denver to marry Larry Donovan - train conductor. After her arrival she discovers Larry had been fired, they survive on her dowry, he never marries her and runs away to Mexico. She comes back ashamed and stays at her mothers farm where she gives birth to a baby girl. Jim passes by to see her before going off to study Law at Harvard. He promises Antonia to keep her in his mind. Antonia marries Czech immigrant Anton Cuzak. They buy a land and build their farm by braking land and planting orchards. They have 10 children. Jim becomes successful lawyer, often travels to San Francisco where Lena Lingard moved. Upon her urging he stops once at Antonia’s farm to see her and to get to know her family. hard work made mark on Antonia’s physique but she remains energetic, earnest and positive as ever.
Thea is growing in a family of Baptist minister in Moonstone Colorado. After her music teaches decides to leave the village, she is asked to continue giving piano lessons to his former students. Thea is well loved by the people of Moonstone. She in turn likes dr. Archie and Caboose operator Ray Kennedy. Ray gets into an accident and dies. He leaves Thea his life insurance policy under condition she goes to Chicago to school. The family agrees and so she travels with Dr Archie east. She starts taking piano lessons with Andor Harsanyi and earning money singing in Swedish reformed church choir. Harsanyi discovers Thea has rather good voice and recommends her to start taking singing lessons. She meets a singer and brewery heir Fred Ottenburg who sends her to Arizona, takes her to Mexico and brings her to New York. Upon his encouragement she decides to travel to Germany to study singing. She returns to New York where she raises to fame in Opera performances. She finally marries Ottenburg.
My Antonia
The story of Bohemian and Scandinavian immigrants subduing prairie land of Nebraska. After the death of his both parents in Virginia, Jim Burden is sent to live with his grandparents on their farm in Nebraska. His arrival coincided with arrival of Shimerdas - an immigrant family from Bohemia. Jim becomes friend with Antonia Shimerda - girl of his age, and teaches her to speak and read English. After Jim’s grandparents move to town - Black Hawk, Antonia is hired by their neighbor as a helper. Jim continues his high school study in Lincoln where he reconnects with his neighbor Lena Lingard who started her dressmaking business there. Antonia goes to Denver to marry Larry Donovan - train conductor. After her arrival she discovers Larry had been fired, they survive on her dowry, he never marries her and runs away to Mexico. She comes back ashamed and stays at her mothers farm where she gives birth to a baby girl. Jim passes by to see her before going off to study Law at Harvard. He promises Antonia to keep her in his mind. Antonia marries Czech immigrant Anton Cuzak. They buy a land and build their farm by braking land and planting orchards. They have 10 children. Jim becomes successful lawyer, often travels to San Francisco where Lena Lingard moved. Upon her urging he stops once at Antonia’s farm to see her and to get to know her family. hard work made mark on Antonia’s physique but she remains energetic, earnest and positive as ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
For anyone wanting to know a little about life on the Prairies during its settlement years, this is the book for you. The three stories give you a real feeling for the existence and struggle it took to live and be raised on this land. It took many years before farming and life became a success and then after lots of luck and hard work. The first book is about a family settling and striving to make a go of farming. It was the daughter who had the insight to buy land where not many wanted to farm and made a successful life through hard work and going against her brothers and many others. The next book is a sweet story about a young girl growing up in a rural farm community and being befriended by a doctor who recognized her musical talents. Through several good relationships, she becomes an Opera singer. Her relationship with one man is quite wonderful but a little sad. The final book is one of Ms. Cather's best My Antonia and it is a wonderful book showing the life on the Prairie and its hardships through the eyes of Jimmy and his relationships to those he grows up with.
May 12, 2020
Overall 5 stars for all three stories.
If you are interested in the way things progressed in the past and enjoy reading about character development and interpersonal relationships, these stories should satisfy and move you. If you are looking for action, passionate love, and involved catastrophes, they probably are not going to interest you.
I found it slow reading because I enjoyed savoring the writing style. I equate these stories with Conrad Richter's "Awakening Land Triology" but all different in the way they satisfy.
If you are interested in the way things progressed in the past and enjoy reading about character development and interpersonal relationships, these stories should satisfy and move you. If you are looking for action, passionate love, and involved catastrophes, they probably are not going to interest you.
I found it slow reading because I enjoyed savoring the writing style. I equate these stories with Conrad Richter's "Awakening Land Triology" but all different in the way they satisfy.
February 28, 2024
O Pioneers: the daughter of the family ruins things after the father’s death—better than her brothers. Carl has been in her life for decades. They end up together at the end.
Couldn’t get into Song of the Lark.
My Antonia: the Swedes, the Bohemians (from Czeck Republic), the Americans who help them get started. Our young hero travels west to live with his grandparents after his parents’ deaths. He grows up along with Antonia. After all, he becomes educated and goes back for a visit while Antonia has had about a dozen kids but is happy.
Couldn’t get into Song of the Lark.
My Antonia: the Swedes, the Bohemians (from Czeck Republic), the Americans who help them get started. Our young hero travels west to live with his grandparents after his parents’ deaths. He grows up along with Antonia. After all, he becomes educated and goes back for a visit while Antonia has had about a dozen kids but is happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2020
Prairie Trilogy
My Antonia favorite of the three. Detailed setting and character descriptions pulls the reader into the stories and prairie life. The writing is outstanding, however, storyline of The Song of the Lark too drawn out, resulting in four stars instead of five for the trilogy.
My Antonia favorite of the three. Detailed setting and character descriptions pulls the reader into the stories and prairie life. The writing is outstanding, however, storyline of The Song of the Lark too drawn out, resulting in four stars instead of five for the trilogy.
June 7, 2023
A fabulous historical fiction read!
I loved the descriptions of the landscape and the relationship between the young neighbors. I was saddened that Jim didn't end up marrying the love of his life, Antonia and give her a better way of life but I also couldn't deny her love of the country and animals and how much she either settled for or wanted that way of life.
I loved the descriptions of the landscape and the relationship between the young neighbors. I was saddened that Jim didn't end up marrying the love of his life, Antonia and give her a better way of life but I also couldn't deny her love of the country and animals and how much she either settled for or wanted that way of life.
June 24, 2018
Very different style than the modern stuff I've been reading. Finished the first two but needed a break before I tackle the last one. The Song of the Lark got a bit long and I didn't enjoy it as much as O Pioneers.
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March 17, 2020Loved this book. I guess I never had read it before...so enjoyable to read about a true artist's development and what it was like to live "out west" in the early days of southern Colorado in the sand hills, Denver, Chicago and NYC's opera world. Give it a try!
May 20, 2022
Oh Pioneers was a good introduction to the writing of Willa Cather.
Song of the Lark was a good read.
My favorite and going to the top 10 books I've ever read it "My Antonia." Cather pulled this together so beautifully!
Song of the Lark was a good read.
My favorite and going to the top 10 books I've ever read it "My Antonia." Cather pulled this together so beautifully!
October 6, 2017
Fantastic book. Not to miss.
January 15, 2018
My Antoniá 01/12/2018 to 01/14/2018
March 26, 2018
Style of writing and vocabulary was enjoyable to read.
June 27, 2019
An earlier time , people and the land
The people are real, from many countries. The land in My Antonia is amazing, it lives, breaths. Her knowledge is amazing.
The people are real, from many countries. The land in My Antonia is amazing, it lives, breaths. Her knowledge is amazing.
July 7, 2019
A fantastic historical fiction trilogy with intriguing plot and characters. Very long but a must read.
July 30, 2019
Great classic about Americana. Reads like a folk song.
March 9, 2020
My Antonia was the best (5) O Pioneers (4) Song of the Lark (2)
March 22, 2020
I fizzled out before finishing...I could not focus on the story as it seemed to just drag on and on. 3.5 stars because I did very much enjoy the first one.
May 30, 2020
Loved My Antonia, enjoyed O Pioneers!, suffered through Song of the Lark.
June 28, 2021
Just did not appeal; didn't like the writing, didn't like the stories :-(
September 27, 2021
I read O Pioneers, a great book about love and land and and the idea that nothing, especially land, is really “owned.”
February 4, 2023
The Prairie Trilogy: O Pioneers!; The Song of the Lark; My Antoniá by Willa Cather – I love a strong leading lady, and all three of these are wonderful! Happy Reading!
October 22, 2023
Mid for a school book. Better than tkam and omm but worse than gatsby
October 31, 2023
Rather dull. I didn't expect the story to be told like a history book.
August 1, 2025
3.75 stars. Some beautiful passages. Story did not grab me though.
December 26, 2022
These stories feature strong women and (mostly) good, kind men- the language is dated so you have to be ready to read terms such as mulatto and Negro- but Cather really seemed to want to write bolder stories for the times she lived in. I had wanted to read some of her stuff for quite a while.
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March 9, 2017loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews