Death Comes for the ArchbishopDeath Comes for the Archbishop
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1851, after the United States has taken New Mexico, a French priest named Jean Marie Latour is sent to lead the Catholic Church in the vast, dry territory, with his lifelong friend Father Joseph Vaillant. Over forty years, the two ride across deserts and mountains, meet Native Americans, Mexican villagers and corrupt priests, and build a cathedral in Santa Fe.
Why it's worth reading
It's on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. Cather's prose is clear and luminous, and the southwestern landscape is as much a character as the priests.
You'll love it if you liked
Lonesome Dove
The Snow Leopard
To Kill a MockingbirdGood to know
It's episodic and quiet, more a series of portraits than a plot. It's based on the real Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy.
By the numbers
- Readers41 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller17 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by Willa Cather
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War and Peace
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The IdiotExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Death Comes for the Archbishop worth reading?
Yes. It's on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. It ranks #940 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Death Comes for the Archbishop about?
In 1851, after the United States has taken New Mexico, a French priest named Jean Marie Latour is sent to lead the Catholic Church in the vast, dry territory, with his lifelong friend Father Joseph Vaillant. Over forty years, the two ride across deserts and mountains, meet Native Americans, Mexican villagers and corrupt priests, and build a cathedral in Santa Fe.
How long does it take to read Death Comes for the Archbishop?
About 4 hours (176 pages), or about 8 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Death Comes for the Archbishop?
If you liked it, try Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.