Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927)

An episodic book about two French missionaries who go to New Mexico soon after the end of the Mexican-American War (1848). Written in 1927, it does an amazing job of capturing the perspectives of the colonialists, the Mexicans and the tribes struggling for survival. A study in contrasts, it details how each of its two main characters deals with what he considers his own mission in life. The New Mexico landscape and weather are characters that serve to accentuate the implacable aspect of the setting – dramatic, unpredictable and austere. A novel about religious people that somehow avoids being about religion. Even the obvious biases that Cather brings to the book are not conveyed as preachy or overbearing. Much of what is said is said in an understated and natural way that avoids the judgmental and emphasizes empathy. A slim yet monumental book with a multi-faceted message about life. ( )

In making my way through Wila Cather, this was the first one that did nothing for me. I was completely disinterested in the characters, there seemed to be no discernable plot line or general purpose to it and I could barely keep track of who was who. Perhaps the scenery of the desert Southwest is a redeeming feature but not enough for me.

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1986: "A love story really. Two French missionaries serve the Mexican and Native Americans of the New Mexico region in the mid 19th century. As Father Latour, first bishop of the diocese, dies he recalls most his life-long friend, Father Vaillant." ( )

This is a true giant in American Southwest literature. The author's weaving of a tale that involves complex characters from diverse backgrounds makes this novel interesting and worth reading. Not only did I enjoy the book but I learned a lot about indigenous cultures and the impact of the church in the American Southwest. ( )

Beautiful prose and breathtaking descriptions of the New Mexican landscape. There's not much in the way of a plot here, this is mostly a collection of vignettes depicting the lives of two French priests who established a diocese in the New Mexico Territory of the mid-1800s. Each story reveals their devotion to the church and to their calling by the service they give to their parishioners, Mexican and Native alike. I'm disappointed that parts of this have not aged well - in places the way praise is given to those same people comes across as patriarchal and condescending now. But the writing itself has aged remarkably well - its clarity and eloquence made this a pleasure to read even though it was first published over 90 years ago. ( )