The Song of the Lark Audiobook By Willa Cather cover art

The Song of the Lark

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The Song of the Lark

By: Willa Cather
Narrated by: Pam Ward, Ken Burns - introduction
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The daughter of a Swedish minister growing up in Colorado, Thea Kronborg's musical talent sets her apart from her contemporaries. Driven by her determination to satisfy her artistic impulse, she moves to Chicago, where she falls in love with a wealthy married man. The novel follows Thea's growth from provincial Midwesterner to acclaimed international opera singer. Her ability to resolve the tensions between her personal and professional lives and to communicate through her art makes her an unusual and thoroughly modern heroine.

Bonus: In partnership with Audible and Playtone, the television and film producer behind the award-winning series Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific, this audiobook includes an original introduction, written and read by acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns. For more from Audible and Playtone, click here.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor Media Classics Fiction Women's Fiction World Literature
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The Song of the Lark was a good story in that it captured life in the Midwest in the early 1900's, but it lacked the depth of the other 2 books in the Prairie Trilogy. I had hoped for Thea to grow more as a person and learn to value what matters most, but I felt the story ended with the conclusion that artists are just self-centered, and there's nothing to be done about it. I didn't find this a satisfying read.

I was hoping for more

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Lovely and inspiring story . So easy to follow although it takes you a century back . Will buy written version

Lovely

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

There is no rise in action or climax. The story is just like hearing about any person's life. In this case the person is an artist and in some ways the book describes an artists soul and the circumstances that help lead one person to public success in art and another to not realize his/her full potential.

Would you recommend The Song of the Lark to your friends? Why or why not?

It would depend on the person.

Have you listened to any of Pam Ward and Ken Burns (introduction) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

There are some beautiful passages in this book, but I was told (and so expecting) a good explanation of the vocal artist. This is perhaps what some, but not most vocal artists experience I think. I never really liked the main character, she seemed aloof and superior. What kept me reading were the other characters in the book.

Not the fantatic book I had herd it was

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It’s always a pleasure to read (listen) to a book written by a praised American author. This moving story is about how a world-famous opera singer sprouted from rural Colorado in the late 19th century. Willa Cather knows mid western Americans; the reality is skillfully presented.

American novel

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I truly enjoyed the insights into the heart of an artist. It was beautiful.

Willa knows my heart

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This is the story of a naturally talented performer and her triumphs and sacrifices to achieve international recognition. The timely narrative flows smoothly through her transition from a gifted Colorado small town girl to a world-famous diva. Cather brings each of the several characters in her journey to life with exquisite detail and believable emotion.

Exquisite Characterization

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A tale of 100 years ago, told in clear and beautiful language. It was as if I was once again listening to by grandmother (born in 1887) who loved the people she shared her life with, and so sought to tell me her tales clearly and truthfully,without embellishment or censorship. e. g. She travelled from Minsk to the US in 2013 crossing Europe and then the Atlantic (in steerage) alone with four young children in order to
join her husband who had left two years before to earn money "to bring them over". In her tale, the trip was neither harsh nor particularly fearful. "In steerage we were almost all young people and their children, Some as couples, but some women like me traveling to join their husband or other family members, or young men who were going first to prepare the way. Although, there were some who complained, we felt we young, on a great adventure to make new, and better lives for ourselves, and that was the pervasive spirit among the travelers. In the " Song of the Lark" Willa Cather presents the trip to fulfillment iin the other direction, from Colorado to Europe, but very much the same, and so even more universal.
I want to thank " Willa" for this gift of remembrance.
Dan

Powerful AND Beautiful writing

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Smoothly executed respect for author’s style. It reflected the voice of Willa Cather. One of my favorite books brought forth.

Clear story telling.

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