My Antonia

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Summary: Antonia is timeless, forever an American heroine . . .
Review: My Antonia has inspired me since I first picked it up at the age of 14. I couldn't put it down, and since that time, I have read it at least five times. Because of my continueing wonderful experience with this book, I am surprised at other negative reviews I have seen, like the ones that precede mine. I can only attribute that to lack of patience and refinement or the age of television, which has contributed to both. The book is timeless, the heroism of Antonia is unquestionable. She is the embodiment of the resilience of the human spirit and the adventure of the often intangible American Dream. Her resilience and strength of person are as heroic as it comes. I feel sorry for those who have missed the point. They've missed an important one.

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Summary: My Antonia- I would have rather have a paper cut...
Review: I began this book completely open-minded. The beginning was slow, but I continued thinking, "Hey it might pick up." It didn't. I loathed this book. On the back summary it describes Antonia as a heroine. Heroine? What does she do in the book? Better yet, What does anyone do? I found the characters lifeless and the plot dull. I admit at times Cather made attempts at a descriptive paragraph, but she never got there. So to conclude, I'd rather have a paper cut.

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Summary: Ranks up with Great Expecations
Review: Terrible book! Its a crime for students to be forced during thir summer to read this. What were the teachers thinking when they forced thir students to read this terrible book with no plot.

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Summary: Slow in the beginning, but got more interesting in the end
Review: We had to read this book for school, so the beginning seemed to drag on forever. But don't worry.. it got better towards the end. I probably wouldn't reccomend this book because of the incredibly boring beginning, but it I were to it would be because the author does an excellent job of describing the scenes so you feel like you know the people and as if you've been to Nebraska in the 1900's.

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Summary: Slow Story of Human Development and a Special Friendship
Review: While I was emotionally touched by the friendship/love held by the two main characters, Antonia and Jim, I was rather unimpressed with her style. Much of the story, especially the first half, is filled with boring details of life in Nebraska and unimportant events that occur in thier lives. Characters are often times introduced superficially and then dug up again later in the story, leaving the reader to feel that he or she is missing something about the character being referred to. Possibly someone who enjoys the simple life and longs for the simple days of the past would get more out of this book.

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Summary: Worst book I ever read.
Review: This was the worst book I ever read. It had no point, no plot, and I hated it. It was so terrible. I only read for required reading for school. I will never read any of this woman's books again. It should be a crime to even call her an author. It should be a federal offense to call her a good author. I don't know how this book got published.

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Summary: old-fashioned charmer. thank you, ms. cather :)
Review: Slightly sweet, but never sappy. A real charmer to read by a roaring fire w/ a mug of cocoa. Savor Jim Burden's memories of his childhood, his enduring friendship w/ the spirited Antonia & how they all turned out in the end. It's a shame they don't write books w/ such honesty & emotion like this nowadays. My copy is tattered & much beloved. Highly recommended to everyone who loves life & fiction.

Rating:
Summary: This was a good book, but it had no plot!
Review: Sorry, but I don't think this book deserves it's place as an "American classic." It is good, but not fabulous. It's strong point would be it's descriptions of nature, but the characters were disappointing. The end is a bit of a letdown as well.

Rating:
Summary: An emotional book worth reading.
Review: My Antonia is a very emotional book that'll make you feel what the narrator (Jim Burden) feels as he reaccounts his past experiences with a beautiful strong girl that he grew up with. The characters of the novel really stick into one's mind as they read, from femme fatale Lena Ligard to the loan shark Wick Cutter. My only complaint about the novel is that the one mini-book "Lena Ligard" was disappointingly duller than the rest of the novel. Nevertheless though this book is wondrous.

Rating:
Summary: shimmering, evocative, poignant
Review: You can almost feel the shimmering heat of the plains while reading this classic. Antonia Shimerda & Jim Burden & the "hired girls" are some of the most memorable characters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. After reading this jewel, I was inspired to start writing my own novel. Can't praise My Antonia enough!