Books

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 6, 24 August 1928, Page 12

Books

Death Comes for the Archbishop

(By

Willa

Cather

HIS is a beautiful story, but it will only be appreciated by the literary elect, who will cherish it for its clear and charming style, its historical sense, and entire neglect of that obvious sex appeal of which we have had such plethora in recent years, The accomplished American novelist tells the life story, a noble chronicle, of a missionary bishop in New Mexico of a century ago; describing with meticulous clarity life in that hazardous country, peopled by lawless nomad tribes, whose doctrine is violence and to whom human life is of no more consequence than the flick of a finger. Strange and terrible journeys are undertaken by the follower of a well-

nigh invisible gleam, in company with that loyal and trusty henchman, Father Vaillant; great adventures come to them, both of the flesh and the spirit, and friends of every colour and caste. The story goes its fascinating way, enriched by Miss Cather’s scholarly vocabulary; and after ineredible dangers overcome, thirst and loneliness and stark bereavement, at the long last the old and saintly Catholic priest goes the way of all flesh and, after a life lived on the Christ-like pattern, meets death, "delicate death," with the same serene and indomitable quality of spirit. This minute and able conception of a rapidly vanishing type of ecclesiastic is told with rare power and insight; allied with admirable knowledge and skilful portrayal of life in a distant ‘country and century and that rare and reticent expression we have grown to expect from Miss Cather, singularly refreshing amid the wilting welter of much fiction at present, turned loose

upon the public.-

R.U.

R.