The writing alone is worth your time to read him.

His words have a certain charm that can attract readers and make them unable to put it down.

Each sentence is carefully crafted, full of wisdom and emotion.

The way he expresses his thoughts is unique, making the readers have a deep understanding and feeling of the content.

Whether it is a description of a scene or an expression of an emotion, he can do it very well.

His writing is like a beautiful picture, which can let the readers immerse in it and feel the beauty and wonder of it.

In short, his writing is really worth reading carefully, and it will definitely bring you a lot of surprises and gains.

Much of the first half of the book is a typical story setup. It involves the introduction of characters and the setting of the scene, which is quite fine. However, here it is dragged out with the focus on squatter Jim Peck. Technically, he has Joe's grudging permission to stay on the property. As the hippie-ish young man makes himself gradually into a more permanent fixture, rather than just pitching a tent, Joe's level of resentment grows. And so does my fatigue.

The second half of the story contains flashbacks to Joe's past. These flashbacks help explain his strong feelings. There is also another storyline about a neighbor. Until the Final Conflict, where all goes horribly wrong. It's no spoiler to say that Peck is quite manipulative. Although perhaps a slight one in mentioning that Joe's mistrust proves grounded in the end.

Stegner could write, and how! Unfortunately, the story's grim tone marches on throughout. His heavy-handed warning about the societal changes that the 60's will bring seems dated and largely disproved. Edward Hermann does a knockout job with the narration. It's as though the book were written back then with him specifically in mind for the job.

I received this book in an Advent calendar almost 2 years ago.

The cover reminded me of summer nights, so I thought it would be the perfect reading for vacations.

Appearances can be deceiving as this story was far from easy and light reads.

However, I really liked this reading after getting used to the author's style and the complex personalities of the characters.

It is a questioning of society and life in general.

We see the confrontation of generations, calm vs animation, life vs death.

In short, it was profound and it brought reflection.

This book made me think about how different people view the world and how our experiences shape our perspectives.

The characters were well-developed and their struggles felt real.

It was a challenging read at times, but it was also very rewarding.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature.

Wallace Stegner's works truly stand the test of time.

His writing is like a balm that soothes the soul and provides a refuge in the chaos of the modern world.

With his vivid descriptions and profound insights, he transports readers to different times and places, allowing them to experience the beauty and complexity of the human condition.

Stegner's novels and essays are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, challenging readers to question their own beliefs and values.

Whether it's his exploration of the American West or his examination of family relationships, his work always has a universal appeal.

Wallace Stegner is a literary giant whose influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.

I have a profound love for Wallace Stegner, and I truly relished this book. However, as time has passed, it has begun to sound rather "dated."

In the late 1960s, there was a great deal of chaos. Joe Allston, who also made an appearance in The Spectator Bird, found himself struggling to keep up with and comprehend the rapid societal changes. He came across as a bit of a curmudgeon and wasn't entirely likable.

Nonetheless, Stegner is an outstanding writer with a keen understanding of the human condition. His ability to capture the essence of human nature and the complexity of emotions is truly remarkable. Despite the book's age, it still holds value and is well worth reading.

It offers a unique perspective on a bygone era and allows readers to gain insights into the challenges and struggles faced by individuals during that time. So, if you have an appreciation for good literature and a desire to explore different time periods, this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

One of the best insider-views of marriage I've ever come across is from the perspective of a husband who is not only aware but also wide awake. He lives with a profound connection to the values he has deliberately chosen to govern his life.

What truly strikes me is the authenticity of his relationship with his wife. There are times when he feels a sense of distance between them, and yet at other moments, they are incredibly close. Almost always, her commentary and observations manage to evoke a response or a feeling within him.

For me, this account captures the wonderfully strange experience of being connected to another human being in one of the closest relationships conceivable. Despite this closeness, they remain wholly other, and there are still aspects of their relationship that are special and unique in their own right, within a web of surrounding players.

It is an authentic, insightful piece that serves as a declaration of one man's values and how he has constructed his life around them. It offers a rare and valuable glimpse into the complex and beautiful world of marriage.

The story is about a retired couple who decide to relocate to California with the hope of finding escape and ease. However, instead of what they expected, they end up discovering a community and a rather costly "conversion."

This was my fourth encounter with a Stegner novel, and I must say that all of them have shared a common excellence. Stegner was truly a remarkable writer. He had an uncanny ability to bring to light the hidden splendor within the most ordinary and commonplace aspects of life. His words have the power to transport readers into the lives of his characters, making us feel as if we are right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

The way he weaves his stories, the vivid descriptions he provides, and the complex characters he creates all contribute to the overall brilliance of his works. I look forward to reading more of his novels and continuing to be amazed by his literary talent.

Some stories are simply for entertainment. However, others are crafted for different purposes, such as Wallace Stegner’s “All The Live Little Things.” I didn't find much entertainment value in it initially. But when I evaluated the story based on its impact on me, its thought-provoking nature, and the wide-open door it provides for self-reflection, I realized it was a remarkable piece of writing.

My feelings towards the book developed gradually. I found the beginning slow, the writing a bit old-fashioned, and the overall experience somewhat laborious. I had difficulty relating to the characters at first. But as the story took shape and the right emotions were stirred, I became increasingly engaged in the drama unfolding in this small corner of semi-suburban California in the 1960s.
And why not? I lived through that tumultuous era and could easily step into the mindset of the main antagonist, 23-year-old Jim Peck, whose ongoing conflict with Joe Allston forms the heart of the story. At the same time, I am now the age of Joe Allston, the main character and narrator. Not only did many of the external details of Joe’s life resemble my own, but I also found his internal thought process captivating, perceptive, and astonishingly similar to mine.
Written in an almost journalistic style, I was not only fascinated but also irresistibly drawn into Joe’s experiences with both Peck and Marian, a young mother who has recently entered Joe’s life. Peck and Marian are like two sides of the same coin, representing the challenges to the norms and values of society that caused so much upheaval and unrest for over a decade. Peck’s view, based on hostility, dismissal, and rejection of the status quo, stands in contrast to Marian, who sees love and acceptance as the cornerstones of happiness.
Most people who lived through that period in our history will have a reaction to Stegner’s writing. It was as dramatic as it was traumatic, and like remembering exactly what you were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, most will know precisely where they were intellectually and emotionally as change forced its way into the conscience of America.
On a deeper and more personal level, this book is written for men of my age, with unwavering honesty and a willingness to confront the darker side of our nature. Through Joe Allston, Stegner exposes the mental games, the endless rationalizations, and the need to believe we are right when so many others are wrong. He reveals our prejudices, which are so easily accepted as knowledge gained from life. At the same time, he leaves the reader with the understanding that, despite everything, while we impose mental restraints on ourselves in the search for order in chaos, we are still human. We feel and understand emotions. We are rational beings, but we are also influenced by emotions. We cannot stop ourselves from feeling. We can hide it, deny it, or spout meaningless platitudes like “It’s all good” or “Everything’s perfect,” but we will feel, and we must.
With Peck, Joe struggles with feelings of being taken advantage of, disrespected, and marginalized as a representative of a newly evolving social order. When Joe reacts with anger to how he is being treated, it is suggested that he is overreacting, that his unyielding and constricted emotional state is the problem, rather than the fact that he is being exploited or that the respect he has earned, not to mention the common courtesy we all deserve, is conspicuously lacking. It is Joe who is forced to submit, to adopt a generosity he does not feel, to ignore the warning signs from his hard-won self-awareness, and to suppress the disquiet and unease born out of the moral turpitude that has invaded his carefully cultivated serenity.
Whereas Joe reacts to Peck with immediate suspicion, dislike, and hostility, his reactions to Marian, although stemming from the same emotional and intellectual framework, are softened by his overwhelming affection for her. In both relationships, Joe is forced to examine his convictions, his morals, his feelings, and the most human desire to control our lives. In one case, Joe reacts as a wronged man, a man continuously taken advantage of, a man unjustly mistreated. In the other new relationship, Joe is challenged yet allowed to react, and as a result, he finds himself opening his mind and expanding his views to accommodate another perspective.
As the story unfolded, it was impossible not to admire Wallace Stegner’s writing. I wasn't sure about this book when I first began reading it, but driven by a lifetime of self-reflection and journaling, I was determined to finish it. The bottom line is that not only did it become easier to continue, but I also found myself richly rewarded.

I can't believe that I have waited for such a long time to read this novel.

At certain moments, I had doubts in my mind whether it was truly one of his best works.

The story had its ups and downs, and there were times when I wasn't entirely sure where it was headed.

However, as I reached the conclusion, I was completely devastated.

The way the author tied up all the loose ends and presented the final outcome was simply breathtaking.

It left me with a feeling of emptiness and yet, at the same time, a sense of admiration for the author's skill in crafting such a powerful and emotional story.

I now realize that I was wrong to have doubted this novel earlier.

It is indeed one of his masterpieces and will stay with me for a long time to come.

This was such a tender and thoughtful book.

It tells the story of a late-middle-aged suburban couple who decide to retire from the hustle and bustle of the world and move into the Bay Area countryside.

However, their peaceful retreat is soon disrupted when they encounter a trespassing hippie couple.

The book is beautifully written, with an honest and understated tone that avoids melodrama.

It considers the issues of the sixties in a way that only a novel can, exploring themes such as counterculture, social change, and the search for meaning.

I found that I preferred this contemporary West to his historical works.

This book belongs on the shelf with the works of Updike, Bellow, and Kesey, as it is a powerful and engaging exploration of the human condition.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in literature, history, or the sixties.

A Gripping Tragic Story of Self-Examination and Awareness

This is a truly captivating and heart-wrenching tale that delves deep into the realms of self-examination and awareness. It takes the reader on an emotional journey filled with intense moments and profound realizations.

Interwoven within this tragic narrative are numerous remembrances of my home and family. These memories serve as both a source of comfort and a painful reminder of what has been lost. They add a layer of depth and authenticity to the story, making it all the more relatable.

As the story unfolds, we witness the protagonist's struggle to come to terms with their past and make sense of their present. The self-examination that takes place is both brutal and necessary, leading to a newfound awareness that forever changes their perspective on life.

This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of facing our demons and learning from our experiences. It shows that even in the midst of tragedy, there is always the possibility of growth and redemption.

Stegner is indeed a talented writer, but the subject matter of his work failed to engage me. The story revolves around a California retiree who has a conflict with a hippie who he permits to squat on his property. It also delves into hippie culture and free love, as well as the retiree and his wife's friendship with a young couple dealing with cancer. However, these themes did not resonate with me. I found myself feeling as if I was trapped in the 1960s, and it was not a pleasant experience.

Perhaps it is because I have a different perspective on these issues, or maybe I simply could not relate to the characters and their situations. Nevertheless, I cannot deny that Stegner's writing is skillful and engaging. He manages to bring the story to life and make the reader feel as if they are a part of it. Despite my lack of interest in the subject matter, I can still appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating this work.

In conclusion, while Stegner writes well, the subject matter of this particular piece did not appeal to me. It may be a great read for some, but for me, it was not the right fit.