Willa Cather's first Great Plains novel, is at once a love letter to Nebraska and the tale of a remarkable heroine who remains resilient in the face of tragedy.

`She is undoubtedly one of the greatest American writers' Observer

Alexandra Bergson inherits the family farm when her father dies early. In spite of her brothers' doubts, her ambitious vision for the land comes to fruition, but the price of success appears to be a small, quiet life. Then the equilibrium of country life is jeopardised by the return of Alexandra's brother Emil and her childhood confidant, Carl Linstrum.