My Antonia

By Willa Cather

I don't know why it's taken me so long to write a few words on such a greatly-written book. It is based on the author's own experiences moving as a child from Virginia to Nebraska toward the end of the 19th century. It chronicles the hardships people faced by Mid-West pioneers, especially those who newly immigrated from Europe, Antonia being one of them. These challenges showcase the individuals' distinct personalities.
I always tell myself that I shouldn't read the introduction to books that were not written by the author (those often appear in classic books) after I read the book itself. And this time, I finally did - and it made so much more sense than when I read it prior to reading the book. [290pp.]

Link to book.