The use of Cather's personal and professional correspondence, photographs, and the early short stories as well as the major fictionmake this biography a step above the usual for me.

Dealing openly and seriously with Cather's lesbianism, the book explores the importance of female friendships in Cather's life and work and assesses the impact that her need to conceal her sexual identity had on the creative process.

I have read other Cather biographies and this one gives more insight and reveals more of the complex connection between Cathers personal life and her work. ( )