A very moving but reserved story unfolds before us. It is about a curmudgeon who is attempting to make sense of the senseless events that have suddenly disrupted and uprooted his quiet retirement. The characters in this story are so real that they could easily be my own neighbors. Each one has their own unique personality and traits, making them come alive on the pages. Stegner's deftness of writing is truly remarkable. With his skillful use of words and phrases, he manages to illuminate his genius. His descriptions are vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story. It is a story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you think about the meaning of life and the importance of finding purpose even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

I simply can't manage to come across a single novel written by Stegner that fails to completely astonish me. The prose is so beautiful, filled with various profound philosophies on life. There are also deep reflections on marriage and friendship, along with a strong connection to the natural world. What I really like is that it's impossible to determine whether Stegner's voice is exactly the same as that of the narrator in this story. I firmly believe that they definitely share similar feelings about life and the world. However, I think Stegner utilized this protagonist to elaborate on some of his own more conservative, tough, and pessimistic views regarding human nature. He put these characteristics to the test by having them encounter other characters with vastly different outlooks. I truly didn't want this book to reach its conclusion. I guess I'll have to search for another book by Stegner that I haven't read yet, or perhaps even reread all of them!

Listening to Edward Herrmann read Stegner aloud has got to be one of the most delightful things in literature.

This story follows Joe and his wife Ruth for about 6 months. They are retired and are making a new life in rural Northern California. They are trying to fit in (or not) with various neighbor-characters. However, that's not really what the book is about.

Driving an exciting, twisting plot line is not Stegner's style. Instead, he is a master at delving into humanity and all our facets. He brings the good and the ugly, the beautific and the selfish, up to the surface.

This book is beautifully written, and Herrmann voicing Joe is perfection. His reading adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story, making it truly come alive. It's a pleasure to listen to and a must-read for anyone who loves literature and character-driven stories.

The title of the book gives an impression that it will be a happy and light read, perhaps offering the peace and joy that Joe and his wife Ruth are longing for as they relocate to California. They are grappling with the death, which seems to be a suicide, of their son and hope to find solace in the countryside. However, instead of that, they - or at least Joe - encounter aggravation and more sorrow. But they also have the opportunity to love someone truly special in the form of Marian.

As I was reading, I was extremely frustrated because it seemed that only Joe and I thought it was unacceptable for a hippie commune to be established on his property. They were stealing land, power, and water, and making a mess of his property and innocent lives. Everyone else in the story appeared to think it was just youthful behavior and that they should live and let live, and that "you're just mad because he reminds you of your son." At one point, I was so frustrated that I even considered emailing Mr. Alston to tell him he was in the right and that I supported him. Then I remembered that he wasn't real and that the book was set in the '60s, long before email was invented. But that's how realistic Stegner's books are. You can't just be an observer on the sidelines - the reader, despite himself, becomes deeply emotionally involved.

The book also delves into death, preparing for death, and the sacrifice of a mother, which Joe simply can't comprehend. So the book is filled with conflict, pain, and frustration. But, as in Stegner's other works, he penetrates the human soul and heart in a way that few others can. At times while reading the book, I was actually sobbing in grief. But as Joe says, "I shall be richer all my life for this sorrow." I truly believe that each of Stegner's books enriches me.

I got sucked so deep into the lives of the people in this novel that it did not feel like a novel at all.

It's ironic because at times, I found the narrative rather difficult to read. Between the complex vocabulary and the convoluted syntax, I often had to reread sections just to get the meaning or realize that a transition to another time had occurred.

But setting that aside, perhaps because it is my limitation as a reader, this was an absolutely wonderful, painful, and compelling book about real lives and relationships.

I became so emotionally involved that I had to take breaks. Once, I even did a full one-hour workout to use up the flood of adrenaline. I longed to run away from the intense emotions it evoked, yet I simply couldn't stop reading.

Finally, when I finished the book, it left me completely shredded and speechless. The power of the story had truly taken its toll on me, and I was left in a state of awe and wonder at the beauty and tragedy that had unfolded within its pages.

It has been several years since I delved into Stegner's award-winning masterpiece, Crossing to Safety. However, as soon as I began reading this novel, I instantly recognized his distinct voice. He is truly an astonishing writer, and this book provided him with the perfect platform to explore profound issues such as life, death, pain, accountability, the search for meaning, and choice.

I have a specific category on Goodreads that I refer to as "book club-esque," and this novel当之无愧 should be the poster child for my bookshelf. While reading, I engaged in countless discussions within my own mind. I won't even attempt to reproduce those discussions here. Just understand that this is powerful literature that is well worth the time investment.

If you consider yourself a deep thinker, then this book is most definitely for you. It will challenge your perspectives, make you reflect on the human condition, and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of storytelling.

Slow-moving and sentimental, this book was a unique experience.

Despite the story sometimes plodding along, Stegner's writing always managed to pull me in. He has a remarkable ability to slip in passages that are not only beautifully written but also deeply true, stopping me in my tracks.

His books have always made me think, and this one was no exception. It attempts to grapple with the harsh realities of life, the random and unfair events that can occur, while also highlighting the intense beauty and joy that can be found.

The characters, like us all, face the choice of retreating and hiding due to the horrors of life or living unrestrained in love for each other and for life.

I do believe that Stegner has certain pet philosophical arguments or beliefs that influenced the story. At times, it feels as if the story is simply a vehicle for him to make his case for these ideas, which can make it seem a bit overdone and preachy.

However, I didn't mind this because I listened to the audio version narrated by Edward Herrmann. His voice is so captivating that I could listen to him read just about anything.

Overall, this book was a thought-provoking and engaging read, despite its flaws.

Powerful, truly powerful book.

It is a book that, upon completion, leaves you with no choice but to sit back and deeply contemplate what truly matters in life.

Well, perhaps that's not entirely accurate. You find yourself contemplating not just what matters, but why everything matters in life.

The good and the bad, the controllable and the uncontrollable, the mundane and the life-ending events.

Every single little thing, regardless of how insignificant it may seem or how utterly destructive it might be, must occur precisely the way it does.

To turn your head away from this truth would be to effectively ignore life itself.

It forces you to face the complexity and mystery of existence, making you question and reevaluate your own perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life.

This book has the power to change the way you think and view the world around you, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after you've turned the final page.

There are few books that I have read that rise to the level of perfection like this novel.

When looking for comparisons, I'm reminded of Curzio Malaparte's Kaputt, Jose Saramago's The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, the poetic ouevre of Alejandra Piznarik and the stories of Kafka. Each of these works has its own unique charm and brilliance.

However, this novel by Stegner stands out in a special way. Every single line is a gem, a truism, something to be highlighted, written down and saved in a compendium of great literary lines. It's not just words on a page; it's a source of inspiration and wisdom that can be savored and pondered over for years, even a lifetime.

This is my first reading of Stegner, although I have at least two of his other novels. Now, after experiencing the beauty and depth of this work, I have an insatiable desire to read every line he ever wrote anywhere else. I want to fill my coat pockets with scraps of paper filled with Stegner's quiet yet powerfully resonating meditations and carry them with me as I walk into the river of life.

These words will not drown me like stones; instead, they will guide me on this Dantean journey called Life, helping me to navigate the challenges and joys that come my way.

This book is a sequel to The Spectator Bird, which I adored.

I read the two books consecutively, and perhaps that was an error.

Just like all novels penned by Wallace Stegner, the language usage is truly beautiful.

The problem for me, however, was that I grew weary of the cantankerous protagonist.

In this novel, his concerns are those of an elderly white man who feels threatened by the counterculture.

This should not dissuade you from reading this book. Instead, it is a recommendation that you do not read it right after The Spectator Bird.

Taking a break between the two might allow you to better appreciate the unique qualities of each.

Nevertheless, the beautiful language and Stegner's masterful storytelling still make this book worth reading.

You may find that despite the flaws in the protagonist, the overall narrative and themes are engaging and thought-provoking.

So, don't let my experience stop you from exploring this sequel.

Give it a chance and see for yourself what it has to offer.

Stegner is truly a master craftsman. I have delved into "Crossing to Safety" and "Angel of Repose" and was instantly smitten by his prose. This particular book was recommended by a friend who lived through the tumultuous era of the late 60s as a new professor on a college campus in the Midwest.

The book vividly captures, through the dialogue of the main characters, the ideological tensions of that time. However, it is also a profoundly powerful work about human connection, sacrifice, self-absorption, and significant loss as it delves deep into exploring the meaning of friendships and their capacity to impact our lives. Stegner, being a realist, does an outstanding job of making human beings seem like authentic creatures. Even his narrator, Joe Allston, allows us a peek into his own biases.

Stegner has a remarkable ability to capture nature and the landscape as if they are intimate companions in his writings. His extensive knowledge of flora and fauna is at times simply breathtaking, and he weaves his narrative with fascinating symbolism and references to mythology and other great works of literature (such as Dante in this particular instance). I discovered that reading this book on a Kindle was extremely advantageous as it enabled me to look up the numerous symbolic references, which added multiple layers of meaning to what I was reading.

Once again, Wallace Stegner has accomplished something remarkable for me with this intimate novel that delves into the profound themes of life, death, nature, acceptance, and learning. There is always a significant presence of the author in his books, which I truly appreciate. The story revolves around the relationship of an elderly couple, Joe and Ruth, and their deep and abiding friendship with a younger couple who have moved to the nearby land as neighbors. Cranky Joe and his kind-hearted wife befriend the young couple and almost become the parents they never had. Each side teaches the other about the cyclical nature of life in this big, old world.

The young woman, Marian, has a deep love for all living things, even those that others might view as a nuisance or evil. Then there is the young bearded guru, who has requested permission to erect a tent on Joe's property. Joe reluctantly gives his consent, and this guru becomes another sort of catalyst. Here, we witness the age-old conflict between the established way of life and the "free" lifestyle, where one can do as they please as long as they don't harm anyone. Joe is reminded of the death of his son Curtis and the similarities between his son and the bearded, free-loving guru, Peck. A superb storyteller has crafted a superb story that unfolds before our eyes.