One Of Ours

ONE OF OURS
by Willa Cather

 Award: Pulitzer Winner 1923

 Dates Read: March 28, 2008 & June 27, 2017

 One Of Ours follows the life of Claude Wheeler, the son of a successful farmer and modest mother. Claude is sent to university where he meets the Ehrlich family and is captivated by their lively home life, full of music, debate and free-thinking. Shortly after, Claude is forced to drop out of college to assist his father with his farm expansion. 

 Now trapped by the farm, Claude marries his childhood friend, Enid Royce, who is more interested in pursuits outside her home than she is in Claude. Enid soon leaves for China to tend to her ill missionary sister and Claude is left alone. He soon returns to his parent's farm, and he and his parents follow the outbreak of WWI with rapt attention. Once the US enters the war, Claude enlists in the Army and is shipped to the front. The Army is a revelation to Claude, who feels his life has purpose for the first time and he thrills at his new call to duty, beyond the drudgery of farming life. 

 I have always loved that Cather won the Pulitzer so early in the history of the award. She is an essential writer of the Great American Novel and I think she should be compulsory reading for students. Love her and love this novel!

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