O Pioneers! was Cather's first successful novel. She published one novel, Alexander's Bridge, prior to this one, but it did not explore the themes Cather mastered in her later works. Other strong Cather works include My Ántonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop.
Other Cather tales of the prairie include A Lost Lady and The Bohemian Girl.
Cather was heavily influenced in her early writing by the great Henry James, author of such works as The Turn of the Screw and The Portrait of a Lady. His influence can be seen in Cather's early works. Breaking from James was a major step in Cather becoming a successful author of more than just home economics articles.
Students might also read Walt...
