The Song Of The Lark
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3.0 • 1 Rating
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
100th Anniversary Edition
“Miss Cather, indeed, here steps definitely into the small class of American novelists who are seriously to be reckoned with.”—H. L. Mencken
“To reread Cather is to rediscover an arresting chapter in the national past.”—Los Angeles Times
Feisty Thea Kronborg, with her rapturous singing voice, is headed for great things. But her upbringing in a raw, provincial Colorado town has practically stifled her artistic ambitions. Only a few people in Moonstone recognize Thea’s world-class talent. One of them is Ray Kennedy, who, entranced by Thea’s voice, hopes to marry her, but is destined to unchain her. Sustained by determination and a pioneer’s spirit, and inspired by the Native American culture that surrounded her in youth, Thea makes her way in the world. But with loneliness as her constant companion, she comes to realize what sacrifices a true artist must make.…
With an Introduction by Melissa Homestead
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cather's semiautobiographical bildungsroman about the evolution of an artist revolves around young Thea Kronborg, who leaves smalltown Colorado for Chicago in order to realize her dream of becoming a trained pianist and piano teacher. But her tutor, Mr. Harsanyi, soon discovers Thea's talent for singing and persuades her to pursue that path. Along the way, Thea is championed and romanced by Fred Ottenburg, the rich heir of a beer magnate. Christine Williams is an able reader: her narration is clear and clean, though a little dull. More problematic is Williams's rendition of Thea, which feels flat. Additionally, the narrator's speech becomes breathy during emotional moments (e.g., a kiss) a tic that affects every character, even the males. As such, it is often difficult to distinguish vocally between Thea and her beau, Fred.
