It was copyrighted in 1927 and just now I read it? It was about time. Sue gave it to me on the October trip in Greece. What is "it" you ask? Willa Cather's Death Comes For the Archbishop. It is good! Some say her best book.
It's set in New Mexico, mostly with a little in Arizona and Colorado. Set just after the Mexican-American War 1846-48. Just after the United States has stolen Texas and Colorado and Arizona from Mexico. This historical novel follows two French missionaries Jean-Baptiste Lamy, 1814-1888, who becomes the Archbishop and his Vicar, Joseph Projectus Machebeuf. It is largely sympathetic to their effort to restore the church founded by the Spanish.
Much of the delight of reading it comes from Cather's lyric descriptions of this arid land. Think Catherine O'Keefe with words instead of paint. While taking a novelist's liberties with the story it is largely historical. It recounts the tragic 'trail of tears' of the Navajos and affirms Native American's values about the land.
I'm so glad I read it. Likely you've both read it so this will be a review.
Takk for alt,
Al
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