A review by shellydav
A Lost Lady by Willa Cather

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

5.0

I read this with a solid understanding of the literary period in which this was written, the prevailing themes, and Cather's other work (as well as the work of Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and to some degree, Hemingway). This reminded me a lot of The Great Gatsby. We see Mrs. Forrester-- the lost lady--and the other characters through the eyes of Niel in a way that is a lot like Nick sees Gatsby, and watches his demise. 

If you read that in school and learned about the themes of past and present, old money and new money, and the American Dream, you will enjoy the parallels.

I have only read two other Cather books, a long time ago. I am glad I picked this up. It reminded me of why I loved Modernist fiction.
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