La mort s'adreça a l'arquebisbe (1927)

I LOVE Willa Cather and compared to other books this book deserves five stars but compared to Willa Cather's books I think this one is more of a four star. In her other books I just relate so well to the characters but I don't quite find that as much in this book. Although, I have to say this, Willa out does herself with the nature, landscapes and feeling with this book. She was inspired by different trips to Europe and America. ( )

simple, touching ( )

I'm not certain I liked this classic read, however, the story does offer the reader a clear look into the lives of two men Father Latour and Father Vaillant and the joys and difficulties they faced as missionaries in a new and untamed land. They certainly had their work cut out for them and they never faltered. They persevered in spite of the harsh conditions they found themselves in. I liked Latour and Vaillant. They were good men who worked hard, with little encouragement. Latour traveled on his donkey, Contento. He traveled for weeks and months on his faithful donkey facing hardships along the way. I thought it interesting Latour and Vaillant met and knew Kit Carson. There's a familiar name in American history. So, all in all as I write this review and think about the story, I find I did like it. ( )

From the title, I had expected this to be a rather light weight whodunit. Instead it is a sympathetic, somewhat sentimental, exploration of 19th century Catholic missionaries in New Mexico. The land is portrayed well, the missionaries are good hearted people, their relationship is warming, their concern for the impoverished and unjustly treated Mexicans and Indians feels genuine. The author clearly has sympathy for their faith, their calling and their mission, but their spirituality is not really explored. So I enjoyed it as a light and unchallenging read. October 2020. ( )

I registered this book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14417482

I was surprised to realize that I had not read anything by Willa Cather before. I have known her name forever and thought I had read some big novel by her, but no. I must have been thinking of someone else - Edna Ferber, perhaps.

This is a sweet story, more than sweet. Father Jean Marie Latour is sent to New Mexico in 1851, shortly after the territory is acquired by the United States. It is therefore still occupied by Native Americans and Mexicans primarily, with a bit of Kit Carson thrown in. In fact, Father Latour meets Carson, becomes friends.

Latour is a man of God in a good sense. He wants to do what is right for the people and for the church. He and his friend Father Vaillant occupy the land and tend to its needs. Over time Latour has to deal with many obstacles and persons, but manages everything with good will and care. His belief in his religion and his god keep him on his task without much doubt.

The obstacles are sometimes personal and sometimes physical. Through his eyes we meet New Mexico at a time when its splendor had to be even greater than it is now, and seemingly fresh and new. Through Cather's spare descriptions I found myself hungering for more, even considering a trip to see the unique formations and colors described here.

It's a gentle story of a life well lived. Although I am not religious I can envy such a life.



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