The Professor's House Author:Willa Cather A study in emotional dislocation and renewal -- Professor Godfrey St. Peter, a man in his 50's, has achieved what would seem to be remarkable success. When called on to move to a more comfortable home, something in him rebels.
Really enjoyed this book - potentially more than My Antonia. Great story about family dynamics between a Professor and his family. Interesting perspective of growing old w/in a tight-knit family.
This is an easy to read story of a middle-aged academic. He is at a crossroad in life. His great accomplishment is behind him but it has brought no notoriety. His family relationships have matured; they are no longer dependent upon him. He has moved to a new house, yet he can not break away from his old study with its comforts and memories. Into these memories Cather neatly entwines the story of a former student: a story more interesting, but less intellectual, than that of the principal character.
In many ways, this is an "everyman" story. When have we not felt inundated by our family and our social obligations? When have we not reveled in hard won privacy and the silence of the spirit? In my opinion, Willa Cather is by far the best author in this genre.