The Land Of Little Rain (Annotated)

By Mary AustinAnnotated by Esther SchorUniversity of Arizona Press, 2020

304 pages

The Land of Little Rain (Annotated)

by Mary Austin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	454 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

: 978-0816540913

Mary Austin's The Land of Little Rain is a classic work of American literature that captures the essence of the American Southwest. First published in 1903, this collection of essays and short stories paints a vivid portrait of the region's harsh yet beautiful landscape, its native peoples, and its pioneers.

This new annotated edition of The Land of Little Rain offers readers a deeper understanding of Austin's work. Edited by Esther Schor, this edition includes extensive annotations that provide historical, cultural, and literary context. Schor also provides a comprehensive that explores Austin's life and work.

A Vivid Portrait of the Southwest

Austin's writing is known for its vivid imagery and its ability to capture the essence of the American Southwest. In The Land of Little Rain, she describes the region's vast deserts, rugged mountains, and clear skies with a keen eye for detail.

Here is a passage from the opening essay, "The Land of Little Rain":

> "The land of little rain lies under a turquoise sky, a clear air as delicate and tonic as wine. The mountains that encompass it rise abruptly from the desert floor, sharp peaks thrust suddenly against the horizon. They are the color of iron and have no trees; only a few storm-dwarfed junipers cling to their sides, remote and solitary."

Austin's descriptions of the landscape are not merely beautiful; they also reveal her understanding of the region's ecology and history. She writes about the effects of drought, the importance of water, and the relationship between the land and its inhabitants.

Native Peoples and Pioneers

In addition to its descriptions of the landscape, The Land of Little Rain also includes essays and stories about the native peoples and pioneers who lived in the Southwest. Austin writes about the Paiute, Navajo, and Hopi people, as well as the Anglo settlers who came to the region in the 19th century.

Austin's portrayal of Native Americans is complex and nuanced. She admires their knowledge of the land and their way of life, but she also recognizes the challenges they faced in the face of encroaching European civilization.

Here is a passage from the essay "The Basket Maker":

> "The Basket Maker went his way, leaving no trace save a few heaps of broken pottery and a few metates, ground smooth by the grinding of corn. The little brown children who laugh and play in the sun by the river, the women stirring the mesquite gruel over the fire, the old men smoking their pipes in the shade of the cottonwoods—these are his descendants. They are of the land, as much a part of it as the lizards and the horned toads, as much a product of sun and wind and rain as the mesquite and the cactus."

Austin's portrayal of Anglo settlers is equally complex. She writes about their courage and determination, but she also criticizes their greed and arrogance.

Here is a passage from the story "The Copper Mine":

> "The men who came after him were not miners, but speculators. They built a town on the edge of the desert, and they called it El Dorado. They staked out claims, and they sold shares in the mines. They made fortunes, and they lost them. But the copper mine remained, a monument to their greed and their folly."

A Literary Masterpiece

The Land of Little Rain is a literary masterpiece that captures the spirit of the American Southwest. Austin's vivid prose, her insightful observations, and her complex characters make this book a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, the Southwest, or Native American culture.

Esther Schor's annotations provide valuable context for Austin's work, making this new edition an essential resource for students, scholars, and general readers alike.

Recommended Reading:

• Mary Austin: A Literary Life by Esther Schor
• The Southwest: A Literary Anthology edited by Charles Truax
• Native American Women's Writing: A Critical Anthology edited by Elizabeth A. Cook-Lynn

The Land of Little Rain (Annotated)

by Mary Austin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	454 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE