Discover books similar to "My Mortal Enemy"
Willa Cather
My Mortal Enemy
3.62
"My Mortal Enemy" by Willa Cather is a powerful and poignant exploration of love, betrayal, and the passage of time. The novel, published in 1926, tells the story of Myra Henshawe, a woman who marries for love and then spends the rest of her life regretting the choices she made. The novel begins with the narrator, a young woman named Nellie, reflecting on her childhood friendship with Myra and her husband, Oswald. Nellie is drawn to the couple's passion and intensity, and she is captivated by their love story. However, as the years pass, Nellie begins to see the cracks in their relationship. Myra becomes increasingly bitter and resentful, while Oswald grows distant and disconnected. Cather's prose is precise and evocative, capturing the emotional turmoil of the characters with striking clarity. She explores the complexities of love and marriage, showing how even the strongest bonds can be tested by time, money, and ambition. The novel also touches on themes of class and social status, as Myra's desire for wealth and prestige leads her down a dangerous path. One of the most striking aspects of "My Mortal Enemy" is the way Cather portrays Myra. She is a deeply flawed character, prone to jealousy and pettiness, and yet she is also deeply sympathetic. Cather allows the reader to see the world through Myra's eyes, revealing the pain and regret that drive her actions. In the end, "My Mortal Enemy" is a haunting and unforgettable novel that will resonate with readers long after they have turned the final page. Cather's masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human condition make this a book that is not to be missed...
List of books similar to "My Mortal Enemy":
Edith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
Like 'My Mortal Enemy', this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Edith Wharton explores themes of love, marriage, and social expectations in the upper class. Set in 1870s New York, it follows a love triangle between a wealthy lawyer, his high-society fiancée, and her unconventional cousin.
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Edith Wharton
The House of Mirth
Another classic by Edith Wharton, 'The House of Mirth' shares the elegant prose and astute social commentary found in 'My Mortal Enemy'. This novel tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent woman who struggles to maintain her social status in New York's high society.
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Edith Wharton
The Custom of the Country
In this incisive novel, Wharton delves into the world of the American upper class, much like Cather does in 'My Mortal Enemy'. The story revolves around Undine Spragg, a young woman from the Midwest who marries her way into New York high society and ruthlessly pursues her ambitions.
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Edith Wharton
Ethan Frome
While 'Ethan Frome' is set in a different social class and milieu than 'My Mortal Enemy', it shares Cather's exploration of repressed desires and the consequences of societal expectations. This haunting novel tells the story of a tragic love triangle in a small New England town.
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Willa Cather
A Lost Lady
This novel by Willa Cather shares the themes of aging, memory, and the passing of an era found in 'My Mortal Enemy'. 'A Lost Lady' tells the story of Marian Forrester, a woman who embodies the spirit of the Old West and the changing fortunes of her community.
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Willa Cather
One of Ours
Like 'My Mortal Enemy', 'One of Ours' explores the themes of disillusionment and the search for meaning in life. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of Claude Wheeler, a young man who seeks purpose and adventure in World War I.
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Willa Cather
Death Comes for the Archbishop
In this sweeping novel, Cather explores the themes of faith, identity, and the human experience, much like in 'My Mortal Enemy'. Set in the American Southwest in the 1850s, 'Death Comes for the Archbishop' follows two Catholic priests as they establish a new diocese in New Mexico.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
Like 'My Mortal Enemy', 'The Great Gatsby' explores the themes of love, ambition, and the corrupting influence of wealth. This classic novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious man who pursues his lost love in the decadent world of 1920s Long Island.
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Henry James
The Portrait of a Lady
This psychological novel by Henry James shares the themes of love, marriage, and self-discovery found in 'My Mortal Enemy'. 'The Portrait of a Lady' follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman who inherits a fortune and navigates the complexities of European high society.
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Henry James
Washington Square
In this novel, Henry James explores the themes of love, social class, and family dynamics, much like in 'My Mortal Enemy'. 'Washington Square' tells the story of Catherine Sloper, a young woman who is courted by a fortune-hunting suitor and faces the disapproval of her father.
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Henry James
The Bostonians
Like 'My Mortal Enemy', 'The Bostonians' explores the themes of love, ambition, and social expectations. This novel tells the story of Olive Chancellor, a wealthy and independent woman who becomes involved in the women's suffrage movement and falls in love with a charismatic young man.
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