Death Comes for the Archbishop - Willa Cather

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7_Sorrows

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I have always wanted to read one of Willa Cather’s works and, unfortunately, have not.

The other day someone referenced this book Death Comes for the Archbishop and I was thinking that I am Catholic now and should read this book set in New Mexico.

Has anyone else read this book and would you recommend it?

I have always wanted to read O Pioneers, Song of the Lark and My Antonia also.

Willa Cather was born into a Baptist family, but became an Episcopalian in her 30’s.
 
Fantastic book! I picked it up years ago thinking it was a murder mystery. 😃

I’ve tried to read another of her titles but couldn’t get into it. But Death Comes for the Archbishop is one I couldn’t put down.
 
Oh my yes! And it’s not just because I’m from New Mexico. It’s a beautifully written book.
 
It’s a very patient book, makes the reader slow down to see how a life pans out over time. I liked it.
 
I read “Death Comes for the Archbishop” in English and Spanish, the latter to see how the translation was done (weird hobby of mine). To me it seems too much influenced by Fr. Howlett’s biography, but I did appreciate how Cather put events in the fictionised settings, and while usually I’m not partial to too much description, she does catch me once in a while with her words. It’s not a straightforward novel, but a series of scenes and its ending loops back into an earlier moment in the book, so in way it doesn’t really end.

I’d also recommend reading her historical inspiration; it’s available online via Google Books:
Life of the Right Reverend Joseph P. Machebeuf, D.D.: Pioneer Priest of Ohio, Pioneer Priest of New Mexico, Pioneer Priest of Colorado, Vicar Apostolic of Colorado and Utah, and First Bishop of Denver / by the Rev. W. J. Howlett

books.google.com/books?id=UzIDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=howlett+machebeuf&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4HFGVZ-PCMzYsAXq34HAAQ&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=howlett%20machebeuf&f=false

amsjj 🙂

+++
Jesus, God and man,
imprisoned by love in Thy most holy Sacrament,
have mercy upon us.
  • Blessed John Henry Newman, December 22, 1851
Tú y yo sabemos por la fe que oculto en las especies sacramentales está Cristo,
ese Cristo con su Cuerpo, con su Sangre, con su Alma, y con su Divinidad,
prisonero de amor.
  • San Josemaría Escrivá, 1 junio 1974
God loves to be resisted in His displeasure, and to be restrained by the humble from inflicting punishment… One saint will often save a nation; so true is it that humble souls are the hinges on which God moves the world.
  • Abp. W. B. Ullathorne, The Groundwork of the Christian Virtues, 1882.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I think this will be my next book to read.
I wondered how much research she put into writing this book and if she had lived in places where she was around Catholics. The last book she was working on was set in Avignon when the Popes were there. So I wondered if she had given some thought to converting.
Anyhow, looking forward to reading the book. Thanks again! 🙂
 
I love “Death Comes for the Archbishop” and (like pianistclare) not just because I’m from New Mexico!

👍
 
bluerose said:
I love “Death Comes for the Archbishop” and (like pianistclare) not just because I’m from New Mexico!

👍
Click to expand...
I think I will have to go out this week and get it!
Thanks.
I love New Mexico by the way. Very beautiful. I’m the next state over to your west.
 
7_Sorrows said:
I think I will have to go out this week and get it!
Thanks.
I love New Mexico by the way. Very beautiful. I’m the next state over to your west.
Click to expand...
Well, if you’re anywhere near Mesa, say “Hi!” to Fr. Thomas Bennett at Queen of Peace! He’s my brother-in-law!
 
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