The Big Rock Candy Mountain presents a tale of a dysfunctional family navigating the early 20th century. Told from alternating perspectives of its members and in the third person, the story is propelled by the father, an ambitious dreamer with anger management problems, constantly seeking to "make his pile" through various get-rich schemes. The basic plot format is as follows: Dad devises a far-fetched get-rich plan, which fails. He then gets angry, and tragedy and sorrow follow. This cycle repeats over and over again. Stegner is a captivating writer, at times even poetic. However, the book gives the impression of being written by someone with an incurable form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, compelled by an inner fixation to tell the same story repeatedly, in minute detail and with slight variations. A new plan is hatched, and hope for the family soars, only to be shattered on the rocks of despair. Each time tragedy strikes, Stegner delves deep into the family's misery, relishing in the exploration of unhappiness to a borderline pathological extent. Like a jeweler examining a precious stone under a magnifying glass, every aspect of pain, suffering, and grief is meticulously explored, as if fearing to overlook even the tiniest bit of anguish. In conclusion, the book is simply too long and reads like self-indulgent tragedy-porn penned by a maudlin and manipulative sentimentalist. Someone should really call an ambulance for all the wailing and moaning.

Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose is truly one of my all-time favorite books. The elegance of Stegner’s prose, when combined with a plot that mirrors the difficulties my own ancestors faced while settling in the West, strikes a deep chord within me. It takes us on a journey from the wishful goldmines in Nevada to the world of bootlegging, with constant moving and job-switching.

I had high hopes that I would have the same profound reaction to The Big Rock Candy Mountain. It does possess much of the same beautiful prose and a deep understanding of life in and the making of the West, as seen in this passage:

And then the spring, and the sale, and that wonderful week or two when they were really on their way and the world opened out westward into hope.

The deeply flawed characters seem to embody a love-hate relationship with the West, with all its offerings and deprivations. In the last chapter, as Bruce reflects at his father’s funeral, he could be speaking about either his father or the West:

I tell you...in spite of the hatred I have had for him for many years, that he was more talented and more versatile and more energetic than she. Refine her qualities and you would get saintliness, but never greatness. His qualities were the raw material for a notable man.

However, The Big Rock Candy Mountain is just a little too long, a bit too repetitive, and the plot isn’t as tightly woven as it could be. It is good, and in many ways, it anticipates his Pulitzer Prize-winning Angle of Repose, but it falls short of being great and leans more towards the depressing side rather than the hopeful.

Oh, this was truly lovely, and yet rough around the edges.

It took a considerable amount of time to draw me in completely.

The author's portrayal of the wrestlings within the home and the intricate interplay of family dynamics was nothing short of masterful.

One could almost feel the emotions and tensions that were simmering beneath the surface.

The story seemed to unfold like a beautiful yet chaotic dance, with each character playing their part to perfection.

The details were so vivid that it was as if one was actually a fly on the wall, observing the family's every move.

Overall, it was a captivating read that left a lasting impression.

'The Big Rock Candy Mountain' provides a vivid portrayal of how the concept of 'The American Dream' played out in reality during the early 20th century and even persists today. Set in the vast western and central regions of North America and Canada in the 1900s, the novel explores various social issues that are still relevant in the 21st century. Wallace Stegner's writing not only delights readers with descriptions of the plains lifestyle but also offers a microscopic examination of an America shaped by illusions and delusions.

The novel delves into the issue of child abuse, which was unfortunately common in the 1900s. Lower-class parents often believed that beating children was necessary for moral growth, subjecting them to various forms of violence and abuse. One of the main characters, Elsa, is a kind and gentle mother who protests against her husband Bo's rage but ultimately gives in to her passion for him. This allows Bo to rule the family with cruelty and poor parenting, and the children pay the price.

The author also questions the belief that intense beatings and abuse of children will lead to success and a heavenly reward. He argues that these child-rearing methods have never created well-adjusted adults and that wealthy people have often achieved success without living a moral life. Education is seen as a means of reducing class differences, but in the past, the lower classes had limited access to it. The novel also highlights the primitive state of medical care for the poor and the internalization of cultural lies about equality by the lower classes.

Overall, 'The Big Rock Candy Mountain' is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that challenges our beliefs about 'The American Dream' and social equality. It shows that while America has many great qualities, there are also significant social problems that need to be addressed. The author's use of multiple narrators and changing viewpoints adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and social history.

Reading Wallace Stegner is an experience like no other. It's as if having a truly remarkable first boyfriend who sets an impossibly high standard, ruining you for anyone who follows. At times, his writing is so superb that you simply don't desire anyone else after him.

The Big Rock Candy Mountain is a literary gem that理应在他创作Angle of Repose之前很久就为他赢得普利策奖。我读过一些评论表明《大冰糖山》在很大程度上是自传体的。如果这是真的，我为那个曾经是华莱士·斯特格纳的小男孩感到心疼。也许那些早期痛苦的经历正是使他成为我们所喜爱的深情且善解人意的作家的原因。

Stegner is like the conductor of the music that plays in my heart. He has this unique ability to touch the deepest chords within me. Maybe one day I'll manage to figure out how to write reviews that can adequately convey the profound impact he has on me. Until then, I'll continue to沉浸在 his wonderful works, savoring every word and sentence.

Review to follow -- (maybe if I ever recover)

Emotionally, I was a complete mess. I never in a million years thought I'd shed tears over Bo Mason, and I'm still not entirely sure if I did. But there was a scene near the end where Bo was present, and that's when I broke down. For a brief moment, I actually felt a tinge of sadness for him.

I think when you embark on a book like this, one that consists of over 600 dense pages filled to the brim with sorrows (and in paperback with small print no less), eventually, the reader is bound to crack. Right? Or am I just going crazy?

Three emotions stand out prominently and intertwine throughout this novel: 1 - anger, 2 - awe, 3 - sadness.

I'm completely spent. I'll come back later to write a better (hopefully) review, unless I just throw in the towel.

Many thanks to Lorna for being willing to have a buddy discussion with me. I'm left with a plethora of questions. I have an overwhelming need to talk about this book and discuss it with other readers. I have several specific questions and comments regarding certain parts of this novel.

Writing a review at the moment just feels way too exhausting. Forgive me, I'm really spent!!! However, I'm extremely glad I read it. (And I wanted to say hello to my friends here before I scurry off like a cat)

A few tidbits about "The Big Rock Candy Mountain": It's long? Hell yes! Dense? Absolutely! Slow and poetic at times? Without a doubt! Incredible prose with lots to highlight? YES, YES, and YES again! Tumultuous, blistering, and turbo-accelerating at times? YES. Emotionally? Hell yes, at times!

Worth reading? A resounding yes! It's one of my all-time favorite books (close).

Quick question to those who have read this: "Do other readers think Bo was Bipolar?"

My heart aches. The characters were so incredibly real!!! I LOVE Elsa and Bruce!!!

P.S. I thought I knew Stegner quite well through other books I'd read (or read about Stegner), but I learned a whole lot more from this book.

Ha, ha (I need some comic relief) >>....Stegner did not like gophers.

Bo Mason might be a family man, but his sole true loyalty lies with his dream. His dream is a nebulous and ever-evolving one of effortless wealth, of finding that elusive Big Rock Candy Mountain where life is finally easy. It becomes increasingly painful to watch as his hope is rekindled almost every time he hears a rumor of someone, somewhere, who has a lead on easy money. More than any other American novel I've read, this one delves deep into the American Dream of rising from rags to riches.

Meanwhile, his wife Elsa quietly harbors her own version of the American dream, the competing narrative of the white picket fence, a life of rooted stability, comfort, and respectability.

And this isn't the story of how they both如愿以偿.

Bo is a bundle of restless energy, and his family - starting with his faithful wife Elsa and eventually including their kids Chet and Bruce - end up chasing him across the western U.S. and Canada as he pursues his dreams. In the meantime, Wallace Stegner crafts a fully engaging portrait of his characters and all the places where they attempt to make a go of it.

Both sons bear a strong resemblance to each parent, but in profoundly different ways. What makes this book so captivating is seeing all the ways each family member develops by leaning on, rubbing off on, and butting heads with one another. Stegner captures the essence of what it means to be a family: it's seeing our best and worst traits reflected in our closest relatives and being forced to decide which traits to embrace with pride and which to resist.

What I truly appreciated on my second reading of this book was Stegner's complete mastery over the unfolding of time. Often, a section will jump ahead several years, yet he manages to keep the present moving forward while also unraveling the missed backstory through memory. At other times, he holds the narrative string taut even as he describes the specific details that capture the idiosyncrasies of the time and place of the story. It's masterful the way he uses the second-person "you" to invite the reader's mind to drift along with the character's memories.

On this second reading, I was also struck by an otherwise forgettable moment that seemed too strange to ignore. Bo is trying to make up for a disappointment the day before and suggests a spontaneous road trip with Bruce and Elsa (Chet is working in town for the summer). On the way home, Bo suddenly stops the car to witness a snake swallow a gopher whole. Bo kills the snake, pulls the gopher out by the tail, and then attaches the snake's tail to the top of the fence post. He identifies the predator as a milk snake, known for sneaking into barns and milking cows dry.

Bo is always seeking a place where the cream hasn't already been skimmed off the top. So, really, what's the difference between a milk snake and Bo Mason?

This is a rather autobiographical family chronicle that revolves around an impulsive and at times violent man. His dream is to strike it rich and lead a life of luxury on the "Big Rock Candy Mountain", which is a folk song about a hobo's vision of paradise. He pursues one scheme after another, such as running a motel, gambling, and bootlegging. All the while, he drags his long-suffering wife and two sons along on this wild journey.

The toll on the family is later accounted for and analyzed by one of the sons when he grows up, presumably mirroring many of the conflicted emotions that Stegner had towards his own father.

This is one of Stegner's early novels. It is set during the first three or four decades of the 20th century in the Western US and Canada, including the Salt Lake City area where Stegner also resided. Although not typically ranked among his masterpieces like "Angle of Repose" and "Crossing to Safety", this book is still highly engaging. I found it interesting enough to also explore the sequel, "Recapitulation", which he wrote after an additional 36 years of reflection.

Overall, this novel offers a unique perspective on family dynamics and the pursuit of the American Dream. It showcases Stegner's talent for storytelling and his ability to create complex and relatable characters.

We're going to Candy Mountain, Charliee!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Alright, so here we have a semi-autobiographical tome. This novel follows the Mason family, starting with Bo and Elsa meeting before the turn of the 20th century. They then move from place to place in the northwest during the following decades.

Stegner is such a pleasure to read for me. The small town folks, with their big internal struggles, and the crystal clear surroundings - all of it is built up so subtly. He checks off all my boxes.

Bo Mason is such a frustrating character. He is always trying to take shortcuts to make money for his family, but in doing so, he deteriorates all that he values most. It's such an epic and emotional portrayal of a man stuck in his past and holding on to his pride.

For such a long book, it has a very small cast. It mainly centers around the small Mason family, but in doing so, every character gets built up extensively.

Crossing to Safety was a good start, but Stegner is now officially my jam. I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other wonderful stories he has to tell.

The Mason family's pursuit of wealth and happiness is rife with numerous difficulties, including pitfalls, detours, challenges, and reconciliations. Bo Mason, in particular, presented significant problems for me. I often found myself thinking that he could communicate, act, and respond in a much more favorable manner. I have had personal encounters with individuals similar to Bo, those who constantly feel the need to prove something, to meet some sort of expectation, even if it is only in their own eyes.

However, my sympathies were deeply drawn towards Elsa, Chet, and Bruce. Stegner vividly depicted the hardships of a transient lifestyle, constantly moving from one house to another, from one state to another, and even from one country to another as Bo chased after better opportunities or evaded the law. Growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduating from East High School just like Chet and Bruce, I took great pleasure in the book's several mentions of this charming part of the country.

I listened to this audiobook, and although the narrator was outstanding, the rich language and the eloquence with which Stegner tells this story were truly remarkable on their own. It was a captivating experience that left a lasting impression on me.

A man is not a static entity that can be dissected, analyzed, and neatly classified. Instead, a man is in a constant state of movement and motion, a continuous stream. There is no distinct starting point for him. He is connected to his ancestors, and the only true beginning lies in the primordial origin of the single cell in the slime. The appropriate subject of study for mankind is, of course, man himself. However, man is an infinite curve on the eternal graph paper, and who among us can claim to see the entire curve?

This is a large, dynamic, and deeply human novel that revolves around a star-crossed American family at the turn of the century. They seem to be constantly plagued by misfortune and just can't seem to get a break. Wallace Stegner has an incredibly profound understanding of the American spirit. He grasps both its ambitious and light-hearted aspects, as well as its violent and dark sides. His characters are an absolute delight to read about and are as memorable as real individuals. I enjoy his work so much that I sometimes wonder if I should feel a sense of guilt about it.

“A man is not a static organism to be taken apart and analyzed and classified. A man is movement, motion, a continuum. There is no beginning to him. He runs through his ancestors, and the only beginning is the primal beginning of the single cell in the slime. The proper study of mankind is man, but man is an endless curve on the eternal graph paper, and who can see the whole curve?”

This is a truly challenging book to review as it presents the entire saga of a man, his wife, and then their children.

It commences in a rather charming Western style or like an episode of Bonanza, but then swiftly transitions into a classic Stegner exploration of relationships encompassing love, loyalty, jealousy, despair, and heartache.

The protagonist is a man out of his time, a pioneer and explorer born after the West has been tamed, restlessly seeking the easy life on "the big rock candy mountain" that he firmly believes exists somewhere. In some respects, it was an uncomfortable read for me as I felt as if I was reliving the echoes of a relative of mine who was born not long after these characters. Another West-tamer born too late, he also had a larger-than-life personality, and his restlessness had a significant impact on his family.

If you were a fan of Angle of Repose, you should definitely give this a try. Another book that can be compared to it is The Joy Luck Club. Just as Amy Tan delved into the relationships between mothers and daughters, I felt that Stegner did the same for fathers and sons. However, while "The Joy Luck Club" left me deeply moved and inspired, "Big Rock" was a journey that was ultimately satisfying yet also left me feeling drained.