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My Ántonia

A tale of friendship and the immigrant experience

Willa Cather author WT Benda illustrator Bridget Bennett editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Pan Macmillan

Published:5th Sep '19

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My Ántonia cover

This classic novel explores friendship and the immigrant experience in rural Nebraska, showcasing the strength of Ántonia and her enduring bond with Jim throughout their lives.

Set against the backdrop of rural Nebraska, My Ántonia is a poignant tale crafted by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather. The novel intricately weaves the story of a profound friendship between Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, highlighting their experiences as they navigate the challenges faced by early pioneers in the late-nineteenth century. Cather's vivid portrayal of the landscape and the struggles of immigrant families adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling exploration of resilience and hope.

Ántonia, a Bohemian immigrant, embodies strength and determination as she and her family confront the hardships of establishing a new life in America. Despite the trials they endure, Ántonia's spirit remains unbroken, and her zest for life leaves a lasting impact on Jim, who carries her memory with him as he pursues his own ambitions. Through Jim's reflections, My Ántonia becomes not just a story of friendship but also a meditation on the passage of time, cultural differences, and the enduring connection to one’s roots.

This edition, part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, features an afterword by Bridget Bennett and original illustrations by W. T. Benda, enhancing the reading experience. My Ántonia stands as a timeless classic, celebrating the beauty of the American spirit while inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys and the places they call home.

It’s one of the warmest, most quietly rousing books that I know; a clear-eyed salute to the resilience of the human spirit and the innate hardiness of the immigrants who came across the ocean to start afresh in the golden west -- Xan Brooks * Guardian *
Willa Cather was a wordsmith of enormous talent -- Robert Slayton * Los Angeles Review of Books *
Her novels stick in the reader’s mind as flickering memories of places we may never have seen with our own eyes -- Jane Smiley * The Paris Review *

ISBN: 9781509899784

Dimensions: 158mm x 100mm x 20mm

Weight: 201g

336 pages