Arrived today from Better World Books. Used, very good condition.

I was surprised to realize that I had not read anything by Willa Cather before. I have known her name forever and thought I had read some big novel by her, but no. I must have been thinking of someone else - Edna Ferber, perhaps.

This is a sweet story, more than sweet. Father Jean Marie Latour is sent to New Mexico in 1851, shortly after the territory is acquired by the United States. It is therefore still occupied by Native Americans and Mexicans primarily, with a bit of Kit Carson thrown in. In fact, Father Latour meets Carson, becomes friends.

Latour is a man of God in a good sense. He wants to do what is right for the people and for the church. He and his friend Father Vaillant occupy the land and tend to its needs. Over time Latour has to deal with many obstacles and persons, but manages everything with good will and care. His belief in his religion and his god keep him on his task without much doubt.

The obstacles are sometimes personal and sometimes physical. Through his eyes we meet New Mexico at a time when its splendor had to be even greater than it is now, and seemingly fresh and new. Through Cather's spare descriptions I found myself hungering for more, even considering a trip to see the unique formations and colors described here.

It's a gentle story of a life well lived. Although I am not religious I can envy such a life.

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Sent to a paperbackswap member.