Death Comes for the Archbishop

Sandra:  Written by Willa Cather and published in 1927 this book is supposed to be her masterpiece according to many sources.  It is unlike the other two novels she has written that I am familiar with 0, Pioneers (didn't read it but saw the Jessica Lange tv version) and One of Ours (tried to read it, don't remember finishing it) and that was a plus for it I thought.  It tells the story of Jean Marie Latour, a French priest who is sent to Sante Fe, New Mexico in the early 1850's to try and reform the church there.  Seems the priests are so cut off from "civilization" they have taken to doing pretty much what they please and much of what they do does not please the powers that be in Rome. 

Father Junipero Serra of California gets a mention
in this book

This is not what you would call a page turner, it is well written but can be started and stopped pretty much at your own pace as it is not what I would call a compelling narrative.  It did expose me to a time, place and culture I have absolutely no frame of reference for.  The French priests, the Mexican peasants, and the Native American Indians are all examined pretty closely here. All in all, it was a good book but not real exciting. Be forewarned it starts out rather slowly, but if you give it a chance, it will grow on you maybe.  As I got into the life of Bishop Latour and as I read I was sad to know it was going to end with his death, which of course it did.  And it was sad, but he had a pretty good life.  Cather based her story on the  life of Father Jean Baptiste Lamy if you are interested in finding out about the source. 

Ernie:  While some of the books we have read seem to be not so much novels but short story collections, Death Comes for the Archbishop is a collection of memories.  Bishop Latour is the main character but we follow two of his fellow priests, the Church in Rome and the people of New Mexico.  Kit Carson makes an appearance every once and a while.  The people and their stories ring true with little embellishment.  The level of drama is right about that of real life...only more interesting.  This is the recounting of simple, dedicated men, doing their duty under harsh conditions.  Cather captures their struggles both big and small, "As Father Vallient remarked, at Rome they did not seem to realize that it was no easy matter for two missionaries on horseback to keep up with the march of history."

Death Comes for the Archbishop is a book that can be read for the pure joy of reading.  Willa Cather's writing is simple and direct but gives the reader enough emotion and irony without overshadowing the narrative.  I highly recommend you read Death Comes for the Archbishop.