A Death in the Desert

by Willa Cather

A Death In The Desert is a novella by Willa Cather that tells the story of a young artist named Eric Hermannson who falls in love with a wealthy and beautiful woman named Marian Forrester. Marian is married to a wealthy businessman, but she is unhappy in her marriage and finds herself drawn to Eric's artistic passion and free-spirited nature.As their relationship deepens, Eric becomes increasingly obsessed with Marian and begins to neglect his own work and career. Marian, on the other hand, is torn between her love for Eric and her loyalty to her husband and social status.The story takes a tragic turn when Eric is found dead in the desert, and Marian is left to grapple with the aftermath of their relationship and the consequences of her choices.A Death In The Desert is a poignant exploration of love, passion, and the complexities of human relationships. Cather's vivid and evocative prose brings the desert landscape to life, and her characters are richly drawn and deeply human. This novella is a must-read for fans of Cather's work and anyone who appreciates literary fiction that delves into the depths of the human experience.THIS 36 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE Youth and the Bright Medusa, by Willa Cather. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1417917318.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Westerns, Classics

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Wilella Sibert Cather was born in Back Creek Valley (Gore), Virginia, in December 7, 1873.

She grew up in Virginia and Nebraska. She then attended the University of Nebraska, initially planning to become a physician, but after writing an article for the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor to this journal. Because of this, she changed her major and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.

After graduation in 1894, she worked in Pittsburgh as writer for various publications and as a school teacher for approximately 13 years, thereafter moving to New York City for the remainder of her life.

Her novels on frontier life brought her to national recognition. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, 'One of Ours' (1922), set during World War I. She travelled widely and often spent summers in New Brunswick, Canada. In later life, she experienced much negative criticism for her conservative politics and became reclusive, burning some of her letters and personal papers, including her last manuscript.

She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1943. In 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an award given once a decade for an author's total accomplishments.

She died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 73 in New York City.

Reviews

[Duane Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many of us have that regret, that unrequited love for the one that never knew how you felt? In our last days of life will our thoughts be filled with this memory, this regret? For many of us it will. Yes, that's the theme of this story, told so beautifully by this great writer. Willa Cather at the height of her skill.

Quote:
"For ever and for ever, farewell Cassius;
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why then, this parting was well made".

[Showme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story. It's possible that as I continue to think about the message I glean from it, my "like" might sneak up to a "really liked."

What is that fine line between being a victim of circumstances and moving over to voluntary victimhood of same? I think of Jennifer Aniston's hair. She has evidently chosen to accede to unknown fans' desire (presumed) that she maintain the same hairstyle she wore in Friends. She could actually say screw 'em, and claim freedom from others' expectations. Or maybe she feels most comfortable with the same style over the decades. Or maybe she has fear.

So it is with Windermere and his life choices relative to his brother's. Is his choice a positive force, willingly offered as a gift to others? Or voluntary martyrdom? I don't know.

But heck, maybe the story isn't really about Windermere at all, but about the powerful energy of his brother?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected, but very very good. It's a Western, but the title doesn't refer to a shootout or even a mystery that needs solving. It's about a young woman with a fatal disease who's moved West to die. And it's about a former acquaintance of hers - the brother of a famous composer she studied under - who provides one last connection to her old life. From her perspective, it's about the painful process of letting go.

From his, it's about the also difficult role of being present for someone who needs you in a way that you don't feel equipped to help with. Her friend is the narrator and he apparently has to do this with a lot of people in his brother's life, though not to the dramatic extent needed by this dying woman. There are hints that he gets tired of it (or maybe I'm just reading myself into the story), but he doesn't complain. He just rolls up his sleeves and gets to work cleaning up the emotional messes left by his apparently self-absorbed sibling. And there's not even a sense of sadness or resentment about that. It's just the quiet, tedious help that he's uniquely qualified to give some hurting people. He'd rather be helping in other ways, like seeing that his friend gets well and doesn't die, but that's not in his power. So he does what he can. His attitude is as lovely as it is challenging.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may read online Willa Carter Archive.

Opening lines:
WINDERMERE HILGARDE was conscious that the man in the seat across the aisle was looking at him intently. He was a large, florid man, wore a conspicuous diamond solitaire upon his third finger, and Windermere judged him to be a travelling salesman of some sort. He had the air of an adaptable fellow who had been about the world and who could keep cool and clean under almost any circumstances.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[Cindy DeLong · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a really dumb story. I've been the younger sibling always being compared to an older sibling and it isn't fun, nobody enjoys it.

[The Bookie Monster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and pathetic, not much value in it

[Kurage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably meant to be hopelessly romantic but this is just sad all around.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why does a brotherly resemblance bring a woman to tears? From The Classic Tales Podcast episode 680.

[Shas · Rating 5 out of 5]

always yearning and being jealous at those who are more successful is honestly my personality trait

[Dan]

ouch

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to find anything by Willa Cather that does not cut me directly in the heart.

[Flo Gourmel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This got me rolling my eyes quite badly.
Chick in love with one brother when the other brother loves her. Chicks dies.
I’m really repelled by romantic drama involving siblings 🙄