The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories

The Troll Garden is a collection of short stories by Willa Cather, shaped by the late 19th-century world. Across its narratives, it examines art, rural life in America, and how individuals navigate the pressures and expectations of their communities, with frequent attention to Norwegian immigrants. One of the opening stories introduces Canute, who lives in a modest shanty near Rattlesnake Creek on the Nebraska plains. His days unfold in isolation on the Divide, marked by loneliness and the harsh impact of alcoholism. Through Canute’s difficult inner life and his interactions with neighbors, the story builds toward meaningful change, including the emergence of romantic interest in Lena Yensen, setting the tone for the collection’s emotional depth.