Dec 23, 2009

The Diamond Mine | Critical Overview

Cather's story, ‘‘The Diamond Mine,’’ almost did not see publication. In his book, Willa Cather: A Literary Life, published in 1987, James Woodress noted that the author's agent ‘‘had a little trouble selling it.’’ H. L. Mencken, one of the influential figures in American letters at the time, had considered the story for publication in his collection, The Smart Set, but"he was afraid that the story, which is based on the career of Lillian Nordica, American soprano, would open him to a libel suit,’’ Woodress said. Other publishers had the same concern....