Angle of Repose

Rating:
Summary: one of the best books I have ever read
Review: I just finished reading Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose for the second time. I thought I would skim through it for a book club meeting that we have next week but I found I couldn't put it down. The descriptions of our country were breathe taking and I found myself laughing and crying (literally) as the Wards (all the generations) had their highs and lows.What a gallant woman Susan Ward was and what an outstanding (though difficult) man Oliver was. I hated closing the book and giving up my relationship with them .

Rating:
Summary: The Great American Novel?
Review: Overall, I really enjoyed reading this Stegner novel. I must admit that I couldn't put the book down for the first 400 pages, but by the end I began to find the narrative somewhat repetitive, even tiring. The contrived dream ending surprised me, although I love the final paragraph of the novel.

In many ways, this novel reminds me of Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman in that it gives us an in-depth look at a nineteenth-century woman through the eyes of a twentieth-century narrative--no easy task for any writer.

I'm not sure that this is as captivating as, say, Steinbeck's East of Eden. For some reason, I was expecting an epic, generational-sweeping novel. I don't think Stegner necessarily gives us this, although his characterization of Susan, Oliver, and Lyman is rather good. I guess I wanted to see a female character the likes of Steinbeck's Cathy Aames. Oh, well.

What does stand out is Stegner's ability to capture the epic contours of the West. His scenes of Leadville and the drive to get there are highlights of the novel.

I definitely look forward to trying some of his other works, especially Joe Hill.

Rating:
Summary: The Civilized West
Review: Although disappointed with the lack of true grit that you expect from a story set in the Western US of the 19th Century, I found myself liking th e novel.

I disagree with the previous reveiwer who felt that the ending was rushed. To the contrary, I felt that Stegener ended his novel quite succintly by coming to terms with his own bitterness.

The tale of Oliver and Susan Ward was one of courage, determination, and dogged stubborness. Although you admired their good qualities, each was flawed to the extent that they could not truly make each other happy. The fact that each lived so long in their emotionless state was bitter irony.

I have to admit that at times I thaought I was reading a Westernized version of Edith Wharton. However, on the whole I enjoyed my few weeks with Angle of Repose.

Rating:
Summary: ANGLE OF REPOSE
Review: THIS BOOK WAS RATED THE #1 BOOK IN 20TH CENTURY WESTERN LITERATURE (WEST OF THE ROCKIES)! AHEAD OF SUCH BOOKS AS: GRAPES OF WRATH, SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION, CALL OF THE WILD, THE OX BOW INCIDENT, ETC. A MUST READ!

Rating:
Summary: Add 'Angle of Repose' to your Should-Do List
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend. Suffice it to say that if that friend recommends other titles I will be on amazon.com ordering them immediately. This book was a pleasure to read, from the opening, to the last, words. I am now in the middle of 'Crossing to Safety', another Stegner classic, and am enjoying it similarly. I compare the writing style to that of Hemingway -- it is very expressive, yet subdued -- the emotions of the characters reach out from the pages -- you feel what they felt. Finally, you leave the book feeling enriched. I hope that you enjoy the book as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: BEWARE OF TITLE CONFUSION
Review: CAVEAT EMPTOR: Although they have the same title, this is NOT the classic novel by Wallace Stegner. It is an anthology of contemporary short fiction published in 1986 by Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in Buffalo. It contains some interesting early '80s pieces by David Wojnarowicz, Gary Indiana, Cookie Mueller, and others. But if you are looking for the Stegner novel, this isn't it. The various editions of Stegner's novel are all much pricier than this.

Rating:
Summary: BEWARE OF TITLE CONFUSION
Review: CAVEAT EMPTOR: This is NOT the novel by Wallace Stegner, but an anthology of contemporary short fiction published by Hallwalls in the early '80s. There are interesting pieces by David Wojnarowicz and others, but if you're looking for Stegner's novel of the same name, this isn't it.

Rating:
Summary: A Triumph of Character
Review: This is a truly splendid novel, a novel to live with, to read and re-read. I have enjoyed many of Stegner's books and wish I had known the man. In his work I get to discover him over and over, each time finding new dimensions to his character. Angle of Repose is a masterpiece on the very theme of Character. In it we follow Stegner's narrator as he surveys personal integrity. He documents his own growth in old age and that of his grandparents, two resilient easterners breaking and hardening their hearts as they bring all their mettle to building new lives in the west. This is not your usual "hardy pioneer" tale, but a closely observed drama of the soul. As Stegner's man develops his story, he learns lessons that challenge his own prejudices and rebuild his own character triumphantly.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of American Literature
Review: This is one book worth rereading.The point of view is simultaneously revealing of a man estranged from his family and of any person with disability stretching beyond the limits of other people's expectations. Some people might find these truths too naked. To go between western history and contemporary lives without losing the reader is an achievement. I find Stegner's writing is both complex and accessible.

Rating:
Summary: Touching and serious novel
Review: I bought and read this book because it was a pulitzer prize winner. Thought provoking and challenging are the best words I can use to describe it. It made me think about my own life, as a young married woman like Susan, and my aspirations and dreams. Challenging because there are difficult parts to wade through, that I thought could have been eliminated without really affecting the book. Overall, I'm glad I read it.