by Willa Cather
ages: adult
First sentence: “I first heard of Antonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.”
Support your local independent bookstore: buy it there!
The thing that struck me most about this classic — which I remembered being my favorite of Cather’s work when I went through all her books about 10 years ago — was the amount of affection in it. Affection not only for the characters, but for the immigrant situation, the land, as well as the friendship that develops between the two main characters.
There isn’t much of a plot — it follows Jim Burden, the son of some Virginians who ended up living in Nebraska with his grandparents, and his friendship with Antonia Shimerdas, the daughter of some Czech immigrants. They, like all children, have ups and downs and as their paths go in different directions as they get older, they drift apart. It’s not an easy life for Antonia; she has to work hard for everything she gets, especially after the suicide of her father (who did not take to immigrant life very well).
But the plot seems to be immaterial here, and I found I didn’t mind (which is strange for me; usually without a strong plot, a book just seems to drag.) because the affection just leaks out of the book. That, and Cather is one of those writers that just captivate you. She’s not complex or flowery in her writing, but rather opting for a very straight-forward, yet descriptive prose. Here’s my favorite passage:
When spring came, after that hard winter, one could not get enough of the nimble air. Every morning I wakened with a fresh consciousness that winter was over. There were none of the signs of spring for which I used to watch in Virginia, no budding woods or blooming gardens. There was only — spring itself; the throb of it, the light restlessness, the vital essence of it everywhere; in the sky, in the swift clouds, in the pale sunshine, and in the warm, high wind — rising suddenly, sinking suddenly, impulsive and playful like a big puppy that pawed you and then lay down to be petted. If I had been tossed down blindfold on that red prairie, I should have known it was spring.
See? Simple, yet incredibly evocative.
But, really, it was the affection that made the book for me. I enjoyed being a part of Jim and Antonia’s life, and the final section — where Jim makes it back to visit Antonia 20 years after last seeing her — really touched me. A true classic.
The Book Nut 
I've read two of Cather's books now, and preferred Death Comes For the Archbishop to this one. Something about My Antonia didn't gel with me. I liked it okay, but i don't think I really got it.
LikeLike
I loved this book. We read it for my book club about a year ago and most of us grew up on the Alberta prairie and we were all struck by how familiar the landscape was to us. I think that's what I liked the most about this book.
LikeLike
I've read this a few times and loved it.
LikeLike
My mom tried to get me to read this in high school but I couldn't stand it. Last year I read it as part of an English class I was taking and LOVED it. I agree with your review. the affection is enchanting.
LikeLike
I remember when I first read it, I was disappointed at the ending. I grew up and think it is much better that way. Great book!
LikeLike
I haven't tried to read Willa Cather since high school. The high-school me absolutely hated it. Though now I can't remember if I was trying to read My Antonia or O Pioneers. I wonder if the adult-me would like it?
LikeLike
She “had me at hello!” Discovering Willa Cather about 15 years ago was like uncovering a fresh basket of berries – each story ready for the picking. Your review was a great reminder of why Willa Cather is one of my favorite authors!! She paints pictures. I recognized the plains this summer as we drove through them not because of state lines and road signs but because I had seen them before through Cather's words. Same colors, same solitude…
Her books are my cherished friends, I value them. Thanks for a reminder and a great review!
LikeLike
Amanda — when I read all her books years ago, I liked this one best. But now I have to admit I'm curious: would I like Death Comes for the Archbishop any better?
Melissa — yes, the ending is perfect; I can see how a younger person would find it dissatisfying, though. (I probably did the first time around…)
Becky — you should give her a try. She's really quite wonderful.
LikeLike
This is one I think I've read three times and every time it gets me in different ways and I find myself relating to different characters, sorta like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. And like you, I love the end – how they find that as old friends they still have enough affection, like you said, to bond them together even though so much time has passed. I love that you love it too 🙂
LikeLike
I love My Antonia. It's one of my all-time favorites, although I often have trouble remembering the title when I'm coming up with favorite lists.
LikeLike
This is one of my all-time favorite novels, although I do agree, I actually love Death Comes for the Archbishop the best of all of Cather's books. I agree with you, she does paint a picture with words and it is wonderful to read.
LikeLike
This really sounds so beautiful. Thank you for your review. I never heard of this classic before, but it sounds so good.
LikeLike