The Song of the Lark

First published in 1915, Willa Cather’s “The Song of the Lark” is the second novel in Cather’s “Prairie Trilogy”. The novel tells the remarkable story of Thea Kronborg, a talented young pianist, who leaves her small hometown of Moonstone, Colorado, to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional musician. Setting off on her own, her ambition takes her to Chicago at a young age where she works tirelessly on her music. It is there that a teacher hears Thea’s gift for singing and helps her refine her talent. While Thea misses her Colorado home and family, she will not give up on her dream and follows opportunities to New York and eventually Germany, where her beautiful singing is more appreciated. Thea’s relentless drive for success is not without its sacrifices and disappointments, but Thea is strong, resilient, and earns her success on her own terms. As is typical with much of Cather’s work, “The Song of the Lark” is a portrayal of an independent-minded woman far ahead of her time, who will not allow anything or anyone to get in the way of her own personal achievement. This edition includes a biographical afterword.