Willa

 

 

Willa Cather’s work is seminal in describing the American experience, and her life story is emblematic of the turbulent time in which she lived and worked. This biography touches on myriad issues that were formative in the U.S. in the nineteenth century, including slavery, the rise of industry, women’s struggle for equality, and westward expansion. Cather encountered many of these conflicts firsthand, and the anecdotes that Ehrlich conveys about her life lend a personal bent to the time period, such as when Cather witnessed a slave mother reuniting with her free daughter, or the loneliness that she felt on the wide expanse of the Great Plains. Minor’s flair for nature illustrations lends itself well to Cather’s love of the prairie, while also contextualizing the narrative. Short capsule biographies of other women during Cather’s lifetime are included in the end matter and offer ideas for further reading. This biography is a captivating look at a celebrated artist and a slice of life from a time period marked by change and progress. — Erin Anderson