Cather remains a favorite author, though I'm noticing that I'm not quite as enthusiastic when re-reading some of her novels. But still excellent, highly recommended.
Quick Gemini summary: "The Song of the Lark is Willa Cather's 1915 novel about Thea Kronborg, a Swedish-American woman from a small Colorado town who rises to become a famous opera singer, inspired by the real-life soprano Olive Fremstad. The story traces her journey from childhood in the fictional town of Moonstone, through Chicago, to the Metropolitan Opera, focusing on her artistic development, ambition, and the sacrifices she makes, all set against the backdrop of the American West. It is considered the second book in Cather's "Prairie Trilogy," following O Pioneers! and preceding My Ántonia."
I like several of the characters - Dr. Archie; Ray Kennedy (his final scene is well done); Spanish Johnny; Wunsch; Fred Ottenberg comes along.
Thea spends time in the southwest US recuperating (from some illness) during one summer, arriving by train in Flagstaff and hanging out in a not-too-distant canyonland that has Native American ruins. Cather clearly appreciates our part of the world; we had just visited Chinle a couple weeks prior so this resonated.
Discussions of musical performance and art, I think it works.
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