The Big Read

READ ANTONIA -- DISCUSS ANTONIA

WELCOME

This blog serves the readers of Willa Cather's My Antonia as a source for information and discussion. It is designed to support the Vigo County Public Library, Terre Haute, Indiana (go here) National Endowment for the Arts (go here) BIG READ programming

Many other communities across the country are participating in the BIG READ. Wherever you may be, you are invited to post comments on My Antonia on this blog: the book, Willa Cather and her times, BIG READ programs and events, as well as your views on the subject of reading (and non-reading) in America.

However you found your way here, you are a reader and you are welcome. Please pass the word along to others about the READ ANTONIA – DISCUSS ANTONIA blog. The more readers who participate the livelier the discussion.
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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Willa Cather in Terre Haute

Willa Cather (or someone very much like her) came to town on March 11. Her talk at the Vigo County Public Library was funny and fascinating. Besides talking about her writing, Cather had a few things to say about Red Cloud, Nebraska, the setting for My Antonia. She was at once hard on, respectful of and thankful for the town and the people of Red Cloud–much like most of us are when we think about our hometowns.

Cather invited all to visit Red Cloud some day. If you’ve read her three Nebraska novels, O Pioneers, My Antonia and The Song of the Lark, you’re probably more than ready to go. Here’s a little promo from the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism that might send you out to the plains. No rates for sod house accommodations are listed. GO HERE

Thanks and raves go out to Betty J. Steinshouer who portrayed Cather. If you had the opportunity to attend this Big Read event, please post any thoughts or questions Ms. Steinshouer’s historical representation may have prompted.
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1 comment:

  1. gary dailyMarch 13, 2010 at 4:17 PM

    Here’s a thought prompted by the “Willa Cather” appearance. Ms. Cather mentioned that required or assigned (I’m not sure which term she used) is harmful to the acceptance and appreciation of a book. Our Cather visitor had high school students in mind. The real Cather taught high school in the Pittsburgh area for five years.

    Have you heard this "No one tells me what to read!" refrain from readers or non-readers of your acquaintance? Do you think the choosing of a book, essentially assigning it, for the whole community to read is an unadulterated good thing? Does it deter some/many from reading the book?

    Our visiting Ms. Cather’s view may stem from a view Cather expressed in an interview in 1924:

    “Fine books were written for fine people. Fine books are still written for fine people. Sometimes the others read them, too, and if they can stand it, it doesn’t hurt them …”

    Go Here for more on this:

    http://readingthegreats.com/2010/03/willa-cather-on-fine-books-and-fine-readers/#more-1725

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