Anne's House of Dreams vs My mortal enemy

Both "My mortal enemy" by Willa Cather and "Anne's House of Dreams" by Lucy Maud Montgomery are popular choices for readers interested in American fiction (fictional works by one author) and American fiction. This comparison helps you decide which to read first — or whether both belong on your list.

Shared Themes

MarriageFictionFiction, general
Published 1917
Books like Anne's House of Dreams
Cover of My mortal enemy

My mortal enemy

Willa Cather

1926

My Mortal Enemy Willa Cather My Mortal Enemy is the eighth novel by American author Willa Cather. It was first published in 1926. Myra and her husband Oswald return to their fictional hometown of Parthia, Illinois, to visit their relatives. Nellie and Aunt Lydia then leave to spend the Christmas holiday in New York City with them. They live on Madison Square. They dine with Ewan Gray, a friend who has an infatuation with another actress, Esther Sinclair. Oswald receives silver-buttons for his shirt from an old Western acquaintance, and asks Lydia to pretend she gave them to him to thwart his wife's jealousy. Later Myra and Nellie go to the opera; in a lodge they spot an erstwhile friend of Myra's, which makes her sad. Later they take a hansom around a park and chance upon a rich acquaintance of Myra's, which leads her to be scornful over her own poverty. They spend Christmas dinner with friends of the Henshawes - both artists and people of privilege. Later they spend New Year's Eve with artists again. A few days later Nellie witnesses the Henshawes argue; the husband takes her out to lunch. Soon after, she and her aunt are to return to Illinois. On the train, they are joined by Myra, who has argued with her husband again and is going to visit a friend in Pittsburgh for a change of scenery.

Published 1926
Books like My mortal enemy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is easier to read: My mortal enemy or Anne's House of Dreams?
Reading difficulty depends on your familiarity with the genre. Check each book's page count and subject matter above, and start with whichever aligns better with books you've enjoyed before.
Can I read My mortal enemy and Anne's House of Dreams in any order?
Yes — these are standalone works. You don't need to read one before the other unless they're part of the same series.
Which book is better for beginners?
If you're new to this genre, look at the shorter book with broader appeal and start there. You can always come back for the other.

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