The Song of the Lark

By: Willa Cather

Narrated by: Pam Ward, Ken Burns - introduction

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

Lovely

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

I was hoping for more

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.

Willa knows my heart

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

Exquisite Characterization

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.

Not the fantatic book I had herd it was

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.