'She is undoubtedly one of the twentieth century's greatest American writers' OBSERVER

'Her finest novel . . . A masterpiece' IRISH TIMES

'The vivacious Marian Forrester stands as a romantic paean to the pioneer's reckless abandon, counterpointed by the narrator's prim decency' THE TIMES

Marian Forrester brings delight to her husband, an elderly railroad pioneer; to the small town of Sweet Water where they live; and to Niel Herbert, the young narrator of her story who falls in love with her as a boy and later becomes her confidant. He witnesses this vibrant woman in all her contradictory facets: by turns faithless and steadfast, dazzling and pathetic, invincibly charming yet dangerously vulnerable to the men she charms. All are bewitched by her charisma and grace - and all are ultimately betrayed.

Willa Cather's most perfect novel is not only a portrait of a troubling beauty, but also a haunting evocation of a noble age slipping irrevocably into the past.