3.5 stars rounded up to 4.0.

I am a die-hard Stegner enthusiast, and Angle of Repose ranks among my all-time favorite books. So, when approaching a Stegner novel, I have a certain prejudice; that is, even an average Stegner is superior to most other books. This particular work is not outstanding, but it is definitely better than mediocre.

Everyone refers to this as the "sequel" to The Spectator Bird, but in the truest sense, it isn't. This book was first published in 1967, while The Spectator Bird came out in 1976. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call The Spectator Bird a "prequel" to All the Live Little Things. Now that I've read this book, I'll eventually read The Spectator Bird to gain a better understanding of how Ruth and Joe reached the point in their lives described in All the Live Little Things.

After getting that off my chest, my impression of this book is that no one could write about disaffected, disappointed, and disgruntled men better than Stegner. This type of character appears in several of his works. Additionally, Stegner's descriptive passages of nature are so eloquent that the reader can almost smell the tarweed and hear the mockingbirds. I admire how he could take a single sentence, add multiple phrases to it, and transform it into a paragraph. I laughingly attempted to diagram one of those sentences (anyone else remember diagramming sentences?), but I gave up after about the fourth phrase in a single sentence. Although there are sections of this book that seem to drag, I found myself continuing to read simply out of appreciation for Stegner's masterful use of words and grammar.

Without giving anything away, I'm not entirely convinced that the brutality of the ending was necessary. As I reflect on it, it may have been symbolic of everything that Joe Allston loathed about the situation he found himself in. However, it still made my stomach clench as I read it.

Wallace Stegner is an extraordinary writer who has the remarkable ability to cut deep into your soul, as if pulling out your heart and making you sit and contemplate it while it still beats in your hands. Sometimes, he does this so casually that you don't even feel it coming. In this novel, I felt his profound impact on almost every page.

As Joe Allston dealt with the encroaching hippie, Jim Peck, and his out-of-control lifestyle that spreads destruction everywhere while preaching a love that comes at a cost to everyone but himself, I felt a palpable tension and anger. And as I watched Marian Catlin, a lovely soul with real and universal love, slowly losing her battle against cancer, I felt a mix of anger and sadness.

Written during the height of the "free love" hippie movement in California, Stegner flawlessly captures the flaws in this philosophy and its potential detriment to society. Both Ruth, Joe's wife, and Marian want Joe to be indulgent and understanding of the young hippies, but I find myself completely sympathizing with Joe. He wants to be kinder and more tolerant, yet he can't help but see the truth of the situation and the inherent danger. The idea that a person should never have to work, live off the land (anyone's land) and only take without giving is exposed as the hypocrisy it truly is, as Jim Peck takes water and electricity, scatters filth and trash, and preys upon the innocence of a rebellious young girl who is too young for the sexual awareness she embraces.

Marian Catlin has a different perspective. She wants the world to be taken for what it is. She believes that we must experience pain to truly experience joy. It is Marian who loves the "little live things" and celebrates all life, even the downside. She refuses to believe in evil as something real. However, I understand her argument but still ascribe to Joe's.

Joe is not perfect, nor does he claim to be. He often feels guilty for things he shouldn't regret and sometimes does things that I find crass, hurtful, and unnecessary. What sets him apart is his inability to deceive himself. He doesn't persuade himself to believe what he doesn't truly believe, even when he thinks he should. I appreciate his honesty, his keen sense of observation, and his ability to love without worshipping or excusing. He wonders if he could have had a better relationship with his dead son and ponders whether he handled things as well as he could have, but he never pretends that he could have or would have behaved differently when it comes to his beliefs.

Sadly, Joe is right when he says, "There is no way to step off the treadmill. It is all treadmill." If you have lived as long as I have, you come to realize that there is at least as much of life that we cannot control as there is of what we can exercise even minimal control over. Death, whether our own or that of those we love, is one of those things we cannot control. But even with death looming, Stegner seems to suggest that life is a journey worth taking.

If you haven't read Wallace Stegner yet, do yourself a favor and experience his works. I waited far too long before reading my first Stegner, and now he has become one of my favorite authors. He is one of the few who can guarantee to make me laugh, cry, seriously ponder, and always treasure every word he writes.

**Original Article**:
This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded. The content should be about the importance of learning English.

**Expanded Article**:
This is a rather concise article that requires both rewriting and expansion.

English is an incredibly important language in today's globalized world.

It serves as a common means of communication across different countries and cultures.

Learning English enables us to access a vast amount of information, including academic research, international news, and various forms of literature.

It also provides numerous opportunities for career advancement, as many multinational companies require their employees to have a good command of English.

Moreover, being able to communicate in English allows us to build connections and friendships with people from all over the world, enhancing our cultural understanding and broadening our horizons.

In conclusion, the importance of learning English cannot be overemphasized. It is a valuable skill that can open doors to many opportunities and enrich our lives in countless ways.

What a precious book indeed!

It serves as a fascinating intersection where the simplicity of rural life converges with the vibrant flower child movement of the late 60's. The story also delves into the lives of an elderly couple who, after tragically losing their own son in a surfing accident, are desperately trying to fathom the mindset and ideals of the youth.

Contrary to what the title might initially lead one to believe, it is not overly sentimental. Instead, it exudes a sense of melancholy that is both profound and thought-provoking. And yet, it is also oh so wise, offering valuable insights into the human condition.

This might very well be my favorite Wallace Stegner novel, and considering he wrote so many great ones, that is no small feat. Without a doubt, it earns a solid 5 stars. It is an easy choice, as this book has truly touched my heart and left a lasting impression.

I have a profound love for Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose. It is a work that has truly captured my heart and imagination. However, when it comes to this, his prior novel, I was not at all impressed.

The writing in this novel is indeed very good. Stegner has a remarkable command of the language, and his descriptions are vivid and detailed. But despite this, I simply could not bring myself to enjoy or find any interest in the narrator, his voice, or the stories he told.

I persisted in reading nearly a third of the novel, hoping that my opinion might change. But alas, it did not. I found myself constantly bored and disengaged, unable to connect with the characters or the plot. In the end, I decided to move on and explore other works.

Perhaps this novel was not meant for me. Maybe others will find it engaging and captivating. But for me, it was a disappointment. I will continue to cherish and appreciate Stegner’s other works, but this particular novel will remain a missed opportunity.

This is rather a dated, and almost nostalgic look at the Cultural Divide which existed in the America of the late 1960's.

Written in 1967, Pulitzer Prize winning author, Wallace Stegner, relates the story of a retired, conservative couple living in rural California. They must learn to deal with a hippie commune on their property. At the same time, they also have to provide emotional support to a young married couple who are tragically affected by pregnancy and cancer.

The novel is well written. It examines some of the cultural issues that galvanized the nation at that time, such as 'Free Love', 'Work and Play', 'Marriage', 'Study and Achievement'.

However, the only problem that I found with the novel was that book reviewers promised some kind of a violent climax, but that never really materialized. Instead of 'going out with a bang', it only ended with a sputter.

Obviously, THE ANGLE OF REPOSE is Stegner's more important work.

4.5

The characters in this story could be your family or neighbors, and the setting is like that idyllic Eden we all long for. The prose is so comforting that it feels like a warm blanket as you rock back and forth within the pages, while the rough edges of life nip and tear at the boundaries.

Stellar Stegner is the author. One of my favorite things about him is the way he takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. He brings glass slides and microscopes into daily life, making you discover what lies beneath the surface. He also pits opposing characters against each other through intellectual and moral discussions. The characters flail against the inevitable in a quest for mastery over their world, like gophers being the scourge of landowners, and then you wince and weep when forces like cancer prove too much.

Cantankerous Joe, content Marian, anti-establishment Peck, and a variety of supporting characters have robust interactions and encourage self-reflection. Do we value life or just endure it? Do we accept what comes or fight against it? Do we destroy what displeases us or make room for all the little living things? And in the end, do we choose with satisfaction or regret?

The novel has much sadness, but also humor and the best of "humanness". There is a lingering feeling that all the angst and gnashing of teeth is worth it in the end. Because after all, it's all a treadmill with no way off.

Nevertheless, Marian has invaded me, and though my mind may not have changed, I will not be the same. There is a sense in which we are all each other’s consequences, but I am more her consequence than she knew. She turned over my rock.

Looking at my ruined cherry tree, I could do nothing to repair what had happened. I could only act out a pantomime of impotence.

Driving out the lane a couple of days after our encounter, I saw brown movement through the trees and stopped where I could see down to the creek. Peck, skinny and hairy in a pair of cut-off Levis, was testing a knot-ended swing rope he had hung in the bay tree on this side. A run, a takeoff, a swish, and he landed in the waist-high poison oak across the creek; a reverse run and takeoff, and he came swishing back. I saw him look my way, I saw him see me there in the stopped car, but he did not wave or nod. Presumably he was afraid I was going to invade his privacy. If he had acknowledged me, I might have gone on down and offered to help him get squared away. He didn’t, and I didn’t. Rather irritably, I drove on.

The encounter with Marian had left a mark on me, and seeing Peck’s actions by the creek only added to my strange state of mind. I felt a mix of frustration and a sense of being disconnected from those around me. The way Peck ignored my presence made me feel even more isolated. I continued driving, but my thoughts were still preoccupied with these events and the changes they seemed to bring.

Solid Stegner's work is filled with many moments of soaring prose that truly captivate the reader. It initially took me some time to warm up to Joe Allston, who is constantly wrestling with himself and his complex relationships among his neighbors. However, as he gradually opens himself up and reveals his true self, I too ended up liking him deeply and feeling moved along with his journey. The story unfolds in a way that makes you empathize with his struggles and triumphs. I particularly love the last line, "I shall be richer all my life for this sorrow." It holds a profound truth that speaks to the essence of the human experience. This line alone leaves a lasting impression and makes you reflect on the meaning of life and the value of our emotions. Overall, Stegner's writing is a masterclass in storytelling and character development, and this work is no exception.

It is a parable for the retired. Sit still, and let the world do the moving.

Joe Allston and his wife Ruth were adhering to that. After a busy career, 37 years living in NYC, and the death of their only son, they moved to California to seek some peace and create a life filled with contentment and ease. However, life is not like that, not at all, not anywhere. This is because there are always other people, neighbors both human and otherwise. There are gophers, snakes, horses, dogs, poison oak, weeds. There is always something to fight against on your property. And neighbors who must be pacified and accepted with a minimum of civility whether you like them or not. Then two things occur. Jim Peck, a young, shiftless, dirty guru wannabe, assumes squatters rights on an unused piece of your land. While on the other side, a young family moves in, and Marian, the young pregnant mother, turns out to be everything you would have wished for in a daughter. It turns out that where life is concerned, you can run but you cannot hide.

"Where you find the greatest Good, there you will also find the greatest Evil, for Evil likes paradise every bit as much as Good does."

"There is no way to step off the treadmill. It is all treadmill."

Stegner can always be depended on for at least four things: a good story, beautiful prose, multi-dimensional characters, and a lot of wisdom about the human condition. I have read two of his books twice now: Angle of Repose and Crossing to Safety. I thought it was time to explore other titles, and I was not disappointed.

As with his other titles, this one was brilliant. Because it's what we all have to guard against, all the little live things. Most of all ourselves.

"I shall be richer all my life for this sorrow."

I very much enjoy Stegner's writing style and settings in the late 60s/early 70s.

His works transport me to a different era, filled with unique characters and vivid descriptions. The settings he creates are like a time capsule, capturing the essence of that particular period.

The late 60s and early 70s were a time of great change and social upheaval, and Stegner's writing reflects this. His characters face the challenges and uncertainties of the era with courage and determination.

Stegner's writing style is both beautiful and engaging. He has a way of making the reader feel as if they are right there in the story, experiencing everything along with the characters. His use of language is masterful, and his descriptions are so detailed that I can picture every scene in my mind.

In conclusion, I am a big fan of Stegner's writing, and I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

Have you ever encountered someone whose enthusiasm for life is so evident and palpable that it's almost infectious? A person who loves deeply and desires to share that love with everyone? Not necessarily the overly irritating idealist type, but rather one who endeavors to understand everything and simply exists in a certain way. His or her presence shines brightly. He or she appreciates the little things in life. I have a best friend like this. I seldom get to see her anymore, perhaps only one day every two years or so. She has endured a great deal of suffering, but throughout her pain, she has always thought of others. She took an interest in the lives of others and never allowed the significant events happening to her to dampen the mood, even in the moment. She traveled and absorbed what it means to live in this world. However, to talk to her, you would not know all of this. She didn't do these things in order to preach to us about them. She did them because she loves living. Joe Allston had a person like this in his life. Her name was Marian.

“Walk openly, Marian used to say. Love even the threat and the pain, feel yourself fully alive, cast a bold shadow, accept, accept. What we call evil is only a groping toward good, part of the trial and error by which we move toward the perfected consciousness.”

Joe is actually one of those grumpy old man personas that initially rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't think we were going to get along. I guess I can't say he became the most beloved character to me, but I grew to understand him, thanks to the brilliance of Wallace Stegner who has continuously amazed me. Joe had experienced a tragedy in his life and wanted to settle quietly with his wife Ruth in a sort of Californian Eden. This occurs during the 1960s, and sure enough, a hippie named Jim Peck drifted into town on his motorcycle, asking Joe if he could set up a camp of sorts on his property. Right from the start, the two didn't see eye to eye. This is not surprising considering the difference in age and sensibilities between these men. But the truth went deeper than that. Something about Jim Peck reminded Joe of his troubled son, Curtis. Upon their first meeting, we knew Joe was not going to give Peck the benefit of the doubt, not for one second! I had to laugh out loud, knowing exactly where this was headed.

“He was young, no more than twenty-two or -three. His hair was long and tousled, even matted where the helmet, now hung on a handlebar, had crushed it down. It crawled over his collar, and was pushed forward on his forehead, hiding his horns.”

Marian and her husband, John, became close friends with Joe and Ruth almost immediately. It brought to mind Crossing to Safety which I read not long ago. Clearly, Stegner knew something about the bond of special friendships. Marian and Joe had several friendly yet mostly opposing philosophical discussions about life. These were my favorite parts of the novel. I love to hear about different points of view, and I admire it when both sides can carry on such exchanges in an intelligent manner without resorting to finger-pointing and ill will. It's very refreshing in these days of constant hostilities. Naturally, the situation of Jim Peck, who expanded his living arrangements to a rather elaborate “campout” complete with a horde of followers and a concept of free love, came up in these chats between Marian and Joe.

“It seemed to me that when the joking tone and the verbal sparring didn't tempt us into being merely provocative with one another, she was the one person in the world to whom I could say something I deeply felt.”

As with the other two novels I've read by this author, the prose is the star of the show. Characterization is an extremely competent co-star. The setting is a lovely backdrop for the stage, and the plot, though not prominent, does give the story a good amount of momentum, allowing the characters to grow and leave a mark on one's heart. I'm not sure this novel reached quite the level of Angle of Repose and Crossing to Safety, but it's a very good story. I have to check what's left on my bookshelf, otherwise it's time to do a bit of Stegner shopping again soon! For now, it's time to celebrate that very special friend who has a birthday coming up next week. I just know she also takes delight in “all the little live things.”

“If every particle in the universe has both consciousness and choice… then it also has responsibility, including the responsibility to try to understand. I am not exempt, no matter how I may yearn for the old undemanding darkness under the stone.”