Willa Cather: The Emerging Voice

by Sharon O'Brien

This is the first biography of Willa Cather to explore thoroughly the connections between her artistic and her psychological growth. O'Brien makes full use of biographical and literary Cather's personal and professional correspondence, photographs, and the early short stories as well as the major fiction. Dealing openly and seriously with Cather's lesbianism, the book explores the importance of female friendships in Cather's life and work and assesses the impact that her need to conceal her sexual identity had on the creative process. Concentrating on Cather's childhood, adolescence, young womanhood, and lengthy apprenticeship, O'Brien paints the portrait of the artist as a young woman and reveals the complex interplay between Willa Cather's life and her work. In a new Preface, O'Brien sets the book in its historical context.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

528 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 1986

About the author

Sharon O’Brien is James Hope Caldwell Professor of American Cultures and Professor of English at Dickinson College.

Reviews

[Meagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I wanted to learn about Willa Cather's life. That, apparently, was the wrong motivation with which to approach this book. Consider, instead, picking up this book if you'd like an analysis of every word that Willa Cather has ever written over every form of authorship (letter, article, poetry, short story, book, the signing of a friend's yearbook when they were 13, etc.) and want to learn relatively nothing about her personal life. Nevermind that she was a lesbian who paraded as a boy for her developmental years! Nevermind that she was a woman who knew fascinating people! Nevermind that she traveled! Nevermind that she was a woman who held positions of power rare for women to hold at this time! Nope, no interesting fodder there to look at. Better give a dissertation on each of Willa's books that no one asked for and are wildly repetitive.

[Joanna Eleftheriou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this in tandem with the letters! Loved it.

[Raoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed biography and analysis of her writings. Well researched and interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars