Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - My Antonia

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

My Antonia by Willa Cather

6 reviews

leahgustafson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I had not previously read any Willa Cather, and I didn’t know what to expect going in. Honestly, I could not believe how much I enjoyed this one! It reminded me so much of Little House but for adults, and it made me nostalgic for my childhood, reading the Little House series with my grandma.

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I loved the descriptions of and love for the land itself. The writing is beautiful, but I think part of this also has to do with living in the Midwest my whole life.

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The structure of this book is very unique in that it is focused around Jim’s thoughts, memories, and feelings. However, this did not feel boring or “too quiet” for me. I love Jim’s view of the “country girls” despite what others around him say and think. I really appreciate the depiction and exploration of what it means to live a “full life.” I LOVE that the reader really gets to see the girls come full circle—from childhood to middle age.

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I found this one cozy yet meaningful, and I will definitely be reading more Cather! If you’re looking for a classic to cross off your list this summer, this one is very readable/accessible.

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Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!

Content Warnings

edamamebean's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book so much I don’t think I can even say. I bought it because it sounded good but then kept putting it off because I was worried it would be boring, but it kept calling to me from my bookshelf and finally on a cozy rainy night, I gave in and picked it up and couldn’t put it down. It’s a beautiful coming of age story, and although not very much happens it’s not boring for a second. The chapters are really short, so the pages go by quickly. I loved the characters and the town of Black Hawk, and it reminded me a little of Anne of Green Gables but with some slightly more serious themes. It was just so good and devastating at times. I will absolutely be reading more by Willa Cather. I found out that she was buried not too far from where I live and I think I might have to go visit her grave to say thank you for this beautiful little book.

Content Warnings

slintangel's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

serena_hien's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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librarymouse's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Reading My Ántonia felt like reading the Little House on the Prairie books for the first time again. It was a calm, immersive experience, and I greatly enjoyed it. It didn't trivialize the hardships the early settlers faced, but it also showcased their joy and love.
Following the lives of these characters from childhood through adulthood made them all the more lovable, and I was happy that many of them found joy in ways that they hadn't been predicted to when they were young.
I fell a little bit in love with Lena Lingard. Her early characterization as the town whore, followed by an in depth look at her reality as a sweet, beautiful girl whose beauty and personality drew people in, and who just wanted to have an adulthood far different than the one she watched her parents have made her so likable. I loved that there wasn't really a rivalry between the young women in the novel, and that Jim was able to love them all in a variety of ways without the relationship being sexual or causing tension in their group. Jim was an interesting character. His marriage that was mentioned in the beginning of the book felt impulsive in a way that he doesn't seem to be in the rest of the novel. He, in all of his adventures and life stages reads as a friendly, sexually non-threatening man, and I love him, the novel, and Will Cather all the more for it.

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nikkiacat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Excellent! Enjoyed it much more than Oh, Pioneer! Not that that one was bad, but this one was just...better. it was very interesting, viewing Antonia solely through Jim's eyes. You love her as he loves her. So glad she wound up with the life she did. Seems really nice (as either Lena or Tiny said, I forget which, not for me but seems like fun.) There was some random, totally out of place racism. I mean I know the book was written in the early 20th century but geez. It just came out of nowhere and made me cringe. Aside from that, this was an excellent read, with some lovely lyrical writing in spots.

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