Set in the 1890s in Moonstone, a fictional town located in Colorado, The Song of the Lark is the self-portrait of an artist in the making.

The story revolves around an ambitious young heroine, Thea Kronborg, who leaves her hometown to go to the big city to fulfill her dream of becoming a pianist.

But when her piano instructor hears her voice, he realizes this is her true artistic gift. He encourages her to pursue vocal training instead.

The novel captures Thea's independent-mindedness, her strong work ethic, and her ascent to her greatest achievements.

Along the way, her realization of the mediocrity of her peers propels her to greater levels of accomplishment; but in the course of her ascent she must discard those relationships that no longer serve her.

In the fateful interaction of her characters, and her absorbing narrative, she displays the virtuoso storytelling skills that have made her one of the most admired masters of the American novel.

WILLA CATHER (1873-1947) was an American author who achieved recognition for her classic novels of frontier life on the Great Plains, in works such as O Pioneers! The Song of the Lark, and My Antonia. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1922.