Pulitzer Prize winning novel, 1924.
The story is set in the Midwest (Iowa, I think) during and shortly after the Civil War. The McLaughlins are Scottish immigrant farmers, adapting to a new life on the rich prairies of heartland America. The main character is Wully, the eldest son of John & Isobel McLaughlin, who comes home to convalesce. He is a Union soldier and was a prisoner of war till he escaped. While he is home he becomes reacquainted with his cousin, Chirstie. Seems like Chirstie has changed from the kid her knew before the war to a beautiful and appealing young woman. Wully falls hard and after they kiss in the tall prairie grass he is sure Chirstie feels the same. But Wully is a soldier and he is ordered back to the war zone.
He comes home a few years later in really bad shape, sick, starved and feverish. He lies in bed and all he can think of is Chirstie. The moment he is strong enough he rides off to visit the woman he intends to marry. But Chirstie appears to have had a change of heart. She acts as if he is the last person she wants to see. Every time he tries to see her, she is cold and angry. Wully can't figure it out. What is her problem? He sinks into a serious depression but decides one day he is going to find out what the deal is. He starts out by talking to her relatives and one of the people he happens to question is Chirstie's cousin, Peter. He blurts out the shocking truth about Chirstie.
Now all this sounds kind of sad and grim but somehow the story isn't. It is heartwarming and touching and the McLaughlins and the local people and the tall grass prairie are very much a part of the story of Wully and Chirstie.
I really enjoyed this novel. I read it in one day. The main characters of this story are neither creeps or idiots. They are good, decent, likable people and it's a real pleasure to share their world.
Review from Reading the Pulitzer Prize Winners for Fiction.
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