My Antonia Paperback - 1995

About this book

Summary

From the rear cover

An enduring literary masterpiece first published in 1918, this hauntingly eloquent classic is an inspiring reminder of the rich past we have inherited. Willa Cather's lustrous prose, infused with a passion for the land, summons forth the hardscrabble days of the immigrant pioneer woman on the Nebraska plains, while etching a deeply moving portrait of an entire community. As Jim Burden revisits his childhood friendship with the free-spirited Antonia Shimerda, we come to understand the sheer fortitude of homesteaders on the prairie, the steadfast bonds cultivated there, and the abiding memories that such vast expanses inspire. Holding the pastoral society's heart, of course, is the bewitching Antonia, whose unfailing industry and infectious enthusiasm for life exemplify the triumphant vitality of an era.

First Edition Identification

First edition published by Houghton Mifflin in 1918. The first printing comprised 3500 copies, 2500 of the copies had illustrations by W.T. Benda printed on glossy paper, and 1000 uncoated paper. A second 'first edition' with a cut introduction was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1926. 

Media reviews

Citations

• Entertainment Weekly, 09/04/2015, Page 45