A LOST LADY (ePub)

Willa Sibert Cather (December 7, 1873 - April 24, 1947) was an eminent American writer noted for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains. Born in Back Creek Valley, Virginia, Cather moved with her family to Nebraska when she was nine, which later became the setting for many of her works. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, initially studying science before turning to literature and graduating in 1894. After beginning her writing career as a journalist and a teacher, she moved to New York to work for McClure's Magazine, rising to become its managing editor. Cather's early novels, such as 'O Pioneers!' (1913) and 'My Ántonia' (1918), cemented her reputation as a master of depicting the American frontier and immigrant experiences. In 'A Lost Lady' (1923), Cather portrays the decline of the pioneer spirit and the rising influence of commercial culture through the story of the enchanting Marian Forrester and the adoring young Niel Herbert. Her prose style is characterized by a lyrical, almost poetic, quality and a focus on landscape alongside deep psychological insight. Over her lifetime, Cather received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for her novel 'One of Ours.' Her work is celebrated for its historical context, vividly drawn characters, and contribution to the canon of American literature focusing on the transformation of the American landscape and character at the turn of the century.