Shadows on the Rock
Shadows on the Rock
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1931
Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Quebec, Canada • 1690s
1931
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather is a modernist novel set in 1690s Quebec, following French colonists, Euclide Auclair and his daughter Cecile, through one year. The plot progresses through detailed characterizations and their interactions. Euclide and Cecile navigate daily life, forming connections with others, including Governor Frontenac, Jacques, and Bishop Laval. They ultimately choose to remain in Quebec and build new lives. The book includes references to a person who was forced to work as a torturer.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
3,567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Shadows on the Rock, Willa Cather presents a richly detailed historical narrative set in 17th-century Quebec. Praised for its vivid descriptions and strong sense of place, some critics find the slow pacing and lack of dramatic tension less engaging. However, its exploration of community and resilience stands out, making it a contemplative read.
Who Should Read Shadows on the Rock?
Readers who enjoy richly detailed historical fiction and nuanced character studies will appreciate Shadows on the Rock. Fans of My Ántonia by Willa Cather and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who savor evocative settings and complex human emotions, will find this novel captivating.
3,567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Quebec, Canada • 1690s
1931
Adult
14+ years
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