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A review by adrastheia
The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
>>There is a feeling part of us that does not grow old at all. [...] there we would be, untouched by time, unwithered, vulnerable, afflicted and volatile and blind to consequence [...]<<
>>[...] I felt inside me somewhere, adjacent to or below the ailing heart, a hungry, thirsty, empty, sore, haunted sensation of being unfinished, random, and unattached, as if, even if the heart were working perfectly, there was nothing there for it to run.<<
This one needed some getting into. Firstly, I thought the font wasn't particularly friendly to the eyes. There is very little space it seems. This, of course, has nothing to do with the text, but the edition.
Secondly, although the language is superb at times, I felt the narration drags on now and then and I waited for the story to proceed.
It took me a while to understand that the book is - eventhough it operates in two differend time levels - contemplative more than action driven. The protagonist muses about what has happened long ago and I needed some time to getting used to his voice. I didn't care for Joe in the first third of the book. Only later did I discover his utterly human and pretty relatable core.
I experimented with the audio book, a very well done reading, which added to my understanding of the characters. Although I had an idea about the mystery aspect, the solution was astonishing still and the bittersweet ending suited the overall tone of the novel.
At 38, I might be a little young to completely get Joe and what he goes through, but I have a feeling I might cross paths with Stegner further down the road. In the preface it says that this is the second book about Joe Allston and "All the little live things" shows the family as it was before. I might look that one up, but will let "The Spectator Bird" sit a little first.
Thank you for providing this book. I had never heard of Wallace Stegner before. It was no easy read and it required patience on my part. I felt, however, that it paid off and posed some interesting questions about life and love, decisions and values.
>>[...] I felt inside me somewhere, adjacent to or below the ailing heart, a hungry, thirsty, empty, sore, haunted sensation of being unfinished, random, and unattached, as if, even if the heart were working perfectly, there was nothing there for it to run.<<
This one needed some getting into. Firstly, I thought the font wasn't particularly friendly to the eyes. There is very little space it seems. This, of course, has nothing to do with the text, but the edition.
Secondly, although the language is superb at times, I felt the narration drags on now and then and I waited for the story to proceed.
It took me a while to understand that the book is - eventhough it operates in two differend time levels - contemplative more than action driven. The protagonist muses about what has happened long ago and I needed some time to getting used to his voice. I didn't care for Joe in the first third of the book. Only later did I discover his utterly human and pretty relatable core.
I experimented with the audio book, a very well done reading, which added to my understanding of the characters. Although I had an idea about the mystery aspect, the solution was astonishing still and the bittersweet ending suited the overall tone of the novel.
At 38, I might be a little young to completely get Joe and what he goes through, but I have a feeling I might cross paths with Stegner further down the road. In the preface it says that this is the second book about Joe Allston and "All the little live things" shows the family as it was before. I might look that one up, but will let "The Spectator Bird" sit a little first.
Thank you for providing this book. I had never heard of Wallace Stegner before. It was no easy read and it required patience on my part. I felt, however, that it paid off and posed some interesting questions about life and love, decisions and values.