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frostap's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
When my dad told me the premise of "Angle of Repose", I was skeptical; it sounded slow and more than a little boring. I'm glad I picked it up, though, because it is definitely my favorite book of 2012 (and may be one of my lifetime favorites).
Stegner develops his characters gradually, through letters, actions, imagined conversations, experience with the narrator, newspaper articles, etc., which makes them some of the msot round, authentic characters I've read. The story itself was touching (not a word I usually use to describe books I actually like), but also raw and true. I kept thinking of East of Eden while reading this, and liked this infinitely more (perhaps because the female protagonist wasn't insane).
I have to stop reading books about good marriages that go bad, but this one is just perfect.
When my dad told me the premise of "Angle of Repose", I was skeptical; it sounded slow and more than a little boring. I'm glad I picked it up, though, because it is definitely my favorite book of 2012 (and may be one of my lifetime favorites).
Stegner develops his characters gradually, through letters, actions, imagined conversations, experience with the narrator, newspaper articles, etc., which makes them some of the msot round, authentic characters I've read. The story itself was touching (not a word I usually use to describe books I actually like), but also raw and true. I kept thinking of East of Eden while reading this, and liked this infinitely more (perhaps because the female protagonist wasn't insane).
I have to stop reading books about good marriages that go bad, but this one is just perfect.
novabird's review against another edition
1.0
Imagine that you are new to the neighbourhood and invited to tea by your next-door neighbour, when instead of engaging in conversation, the neighbour pulls out a photo album and begins a monologue on all the people that are in the various photographs they show you, pointing to this one and that saying 'how they are related,' and such. None of whom you know and some you partially recognize from wider social circles. This is how I felt while reading, "Angle of Repose." So instead of feeling physically and mentally trapped in another's 'telling, about the world they once inhabited, you decided to politely excuse yourself after an hour or 50 pages in this case. Later on you discover, through overhearing the neighbour in their backyard, that they frequently dreamily talk to themselves in long monologues. How does one begin to break through such self imposed isolation? Surprise interruption, really loud exclamations and who knows how that person would respond to such interference? Better off to leave well enough alone, and leave, "Angle of Repose," unfinished. Yet, (rarely do I do this)I did read the last chapter to see if the tone changes or there are any unexpected turns of events. There are none. Not my cup of tea.
charliekusiel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
What an extraordinary book. So full of ideas. He builds slowly to his conclusion, but IS it a conclusion? My book club was left with so many questions (makes for a great discussion). A joy to read, but a book to be savored.
First read in Sept 1998 for Book Club #1. I originally got it from the library, but liked it so much I bought it. In February 1999 I recommended it to Book Group # 2 and read it again.
b0hemian_graham's review against another edition
4.0
closer to 3.5/5, as the first half was so long and tedious, but the second half picked up and made up for it.
waynediane's review against another edition
5.0
Although long, this is beautiful writing. There was an issue of plagiarism, but the names were changed and he addressed this in some other article. Good history of California.
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
RS book group November 2014
Listened via audiobook on Hoopla.
The prose is so good and descriptive. You can really see the people and see Lyman trying to work out the human emotions of his grandmother and also of his current world. It is all so reasonable and you feel for everyone. There's a reason it got a Pulitzer Prize, and Stegner's use of real letters brings and extra realness.
Listened via audiobook on Hoopla.
The prose is so good and descriptive. You can really see the people and see Lyman trying to work out the human emotions of his grandmother and also of his current world. It is all so reasonable and you feel for everyone. There's a reason it got a Pulitzer Prize, and Stegner's use of real letters brings and extra realness.
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely loved this book, the writing, the characters, the glorious depiction of the Wild West. From page 1, was sure it would be a 5-star. But the last chapter--wtf?!
greaydean's review against another edition
5.0
This is an incredible book. The pain is palpable. And the ending sort of sneaks up on you. Great description. Enlightened dialogue. Great story telling. Flows, draws you in.
Fabulous. I can't believed I waited so long. I may have to come back and read it instead of listening to it.
Fabulous. I can't believed I waited so long. I may have to come back and read it instead of listening to it.