A review by serendipitysbooks
One of Ours by Willa Cather

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

 One of Ours (1923 winner) opens in early twentieth century Nebraska and follows Claude Wheeler. Claude doesn't fit in with his family, eschewing his father's capitalism, his mother' religion, and his brother's materialism. Claude craves something more for himself, some greater and more meaningful purpose, but his efforts are thwarted and, almost inevitably, he finds himself running the family farm and married to a nice local girl, who is more passionate about Christian missionary work than she is about him. It is only when America becomes involved in World War I that, despite the horrors and brutality, Claude finds the purpose, friendship, and freedom he has long craved. Cather excels at rural life, the prairie setting, and a melancholic thwarted character. The latter part of the novel interested me less, and I found the feel both a little romanticised and melodramatic for my personal taste. Overall, though, this was an engaging story. Claude was a character I could get behind, hoping he'd find a way to live his life for himself rather than solely in the service of others. I really enjoyed Cather's prose and the atmosphere she created.