Just finished this amazing story “Death Comes for the Archbishop.” The language is spellbinding, the Arizona setting is portrayed with an amazing beauty and the even the harshest events are told as if whispered in an Abby.
One thing I am interested in hearing thoughts on is the structure of the book. It feels closer to the Canterbury Tales or Don Quixote in its episodic nature than a more modern novel?
Also, this is the first Cather book I have read, and I believe this is considered Cather’s masterpiece, but would certainly like to hear of anyone thinks other books of hers are in the running.
I read Willa Cather’s book quite a while ago and I think you’ll find that it is set mostly in the Santa Fe, Albuquerque area of New Mexico.
I recall that the principal character very nearly got lost in the Journada de los Muertos a feature found on maps just south of Albuquerque, it is so desolate that it was the location for the Trinity A-bomb test some 70 odd years ago.
The background not alluded to in Willa’s novel is the successful revolt of the Puebloan people against the Spaniards led by Popay in 1680. Many Spanish priests were killed and the Spanish settlers were driven out for about 12 years. That and the high handed and violent way Coronado cut a swathe through the relatively peaceful world of these civilized Native Americans makes this a most interesting story, since the Catholic priests were still somewhat alien to the people, and some cultural tensions still existed.
A most interesting read!
Yes. All that was in the background of the story. I had just gotten back from a two week driving and hiking tour of the area so I was familiar with many things she described. Especially Canyon de Chelle.