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Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs

wallace stegner t.h. watkins

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Nominated for a National Book Critics Circle award, Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs gathers together Wallace Stegner’s most important and memorable writings on the American its landscapes, diverse history, and shifting identity; its beauty, fragility, and power. With subjects ranging from the writer’s own “migrant childhood” to the need to protect what remains of the great western wilderness (which Stegner dubs “the geography of hope”) to poignant profiles of western writers such as John Steinbeck and Norman Maclean, this collection is a riveting testament to the power of place. At the same time it communicates vividly the sensibility and range of this most gifted of American writers, historians, and environmentalists.

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1992
Literary awards
national book critics circle award, 

This edition

Format
234 pages, Paperback
Published
April 9, 2002 by Random House Publishing Group
ISBN
9780375759321
ASIN
0375759328
Language
English

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About the author

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wallace stegner

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Wallace Earle Stegner was an American historian, novelist, short story writer, and environmentalist. Some call him "The Dean of Western Writers." He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1972 and the U.S. National Book Award in 1977.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
234Mannan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The author is truly a product of his era.

His profound knowledge regarding the west, various authors, and different places is truly remarkable.

However, for those who do not possess a similar background, it can be extremely challenging to establish a connection with this wealth of information.

It seems as if the author's experiences and understanding are so deeply rooted in a specific context that it becomes difficult for others to fully grasp and appreciate.

Despite the impressive nature of his knowledge, the lack of a shared background creates a barrier that hinders a more meaningful engagement.

Perhaps with further exploration and study, one could begin to bridge this gap and gain a better understanding of the author's perspective.

Nonetheless, it remains a significant obstacle that requires effort and dedication to overcome.
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Hairy_Ninja
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Essays about the Southwest have always held a special allure for me, as they pertain to my present abode.

These particular essays do not fail to captivate. They vividly describe the unique landscape, with its arid expanses and imposing mountains. The scarcity of water is also a prominent theme, highlighting the challenges that the region has faced throughout history.

Despite the harsh conditions, the beauty of the Southwest shines through in these essays. The descriptions of the sunsets, the vast deserts, and the unique flora and fauna paint a picture that is both breathtaking and enchanting.

Equally fascinating are the accounts of the people who have lived in the Southwest. Their cultures, traditions, and ways of life have been shaped by the environment in which they live, and these essays offer a glimpse into their rich and diverse history.

Although these essays were written long ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they still resonate with me today. They serve as a reminder of the enduring魅力 of the Southwest and the importance of preserving its history and culture for future generations.
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CrescentWaves
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Not many writers have written about the West with the same passion as Stegner.

His works, whether they are in the form of fiction or non-fiction, possess a unique charm.

The clarity of his writing style allows the readers to vividly envision the landscapes, cultures, and stories of the West.

Moreover, his deep personal feelings are infused into every word, making the readers connect with the subject matter on an emotional level.

Stegner's writing is like a window through which we can explore the rich and diverse history and present of the West.

It is no wonder that his works have had a profound impact on generations of readers and continue to be widely read and studied today.

His passion for the West is truly contagious, and it inspires us to look at this region with a new perspective and appreciation.
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IAMHERE9868
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I truly relished the initial two parts. They were engaging and held my interest throughout.

However, when it came to the third part, it wasn't quite as pleasurable for me. The reason being that I wasn't acquainted with all the writers mentioned.

This lack of familiarity made me feel as if I was lacking a crucial element in understanding the content fully.

I found myself struggling to make connections and grasp the significance of certain points that might have been more evident to those who were more familiar with the writers and their works.

Despite this, I still managed to gain some insights from the third part, but I couldn't help but feel that I was missing out on a deeper understanding due to my lack of knowledge about the writers.

Overall, while the first two parts were highly enjoyable, the third part presented a bit of a challenge for me due to my unfamiliarity with the writers.
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Hawk90
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Wallace Stegner's novels are truly among my all-time favorites. He is an incredibly gifted writer who has the ability to transport readers into his fictional worlds with ease.

This particular book, however, is nonfiction and delves into the western US and Canada, the regions where he was born and raised. In it, he offers us his profound reflections on living in the west, as well as his impressions of the times he spent on the east coast and in other non-west places.

For those of us who live in the western US, whether we were born here or have settled here now, Stegner provides a perspective that we might not have otherwise considered. He had a deep appreciation for the colors and earth tones, the vast open spaces where one can see for miles, and the astonishing geography that is so characteristic of the west.

After reading his words, I realized why I have come to love living here after more than 10 years. The simple pleasures, such as the clean and crisp air, and the fact that large swaths of the west are owned by the US government and are accessible to the public, are all things that he highlights. He makes a compelling case for protecting this natural beauty and not spoiling it with excessive development and human footprints. I wholeheartedly agree with his stance.

The author also touches on the topic of writers in the west and mentions a few others from his time who were at a similar level of writing ability as he was, although he is refreshingly modest about his own talents. This book is truly one-of-a-kind, covering multiple aspects of western life in a thoughtful and academic manner. It is not a light read by any means, but it is highly educational and offers valuable insights into the west.

If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading Stegner, I would highly recommend starting with one of his novels. This book, however, is so much more than I could ever fully convey in a review. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the west or in the works of this remarkable writer.

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lilsplicer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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In this collection of essays published in 1992, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Wallace Stegner takes a retrospective look at his life.

He reflects on how the Rocky Mountain States, where he lived for most of his life and felt most at home, had a profound impact on shaping his character, his writing, and the man he would become.

The narrative is composed of sixteen essays divided into three distinct sections.

In the first section, titled “Personal,” he includes three pieces about his childhood, vividly remembered in the vast spaces, rugged mountains, and clean air he adored.

The next section, “Habitat,” with five essays, describes how the unique western landscape, with its particular geography and climate, affects the outlook and expectations of its inhabitants.

The final section, with eight pieces titled “Witnesses,” reveals what it’s like to be a Western writer in three essays and explores the work of other writers in the remaining five.

One of the standout essays is “Letter, Much Too Late,” where he credits his mother for creating a home despite his father’s nomadic and often fruitless pursuits.

Readers will notice the emotion in Stegner’s descriptions of the western landscape, filled with vivid scenes and earthy colors.

He also challenges the myth of the West as an endless source of opportunity, highlighting the harsh reality faced by early settlers.

Stegner cautions against the overexploitation of the West’s resources, warning of the potential permanent damage.

This eclectic collection of essays reflects Stegner’s lifetime of thinking about the West, bound by common themes.

The most interesting parts explore his childhood and youth, providing insights into his writing and the characters he created.

Ultimately, Stegner wrote to understand his life, and these essays help readers do the same.
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gnulab
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Stegner's essays are truly timeless.

Almost every single one of his environmental views remains valid even in the present day.

It would be an extremely interesting endeavor to closely study his claims and statements.

By doing so, we can then update them with the facts of today.

And here, I truly emphasize the importance of facts.

We need to base our understanding and analysis on objective and accurate information.

Stegner's works offer a valuable foundation for us to build upon.

As we explore and expand on his ideas, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of environmental conservation.

His insights can guide us in making more informed decisions and taking more effective actions to protect our planet.

Studying and updating Stegner's claims is not only an interesting task but also a crucial one for the future of our environment.

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OhSweetEru
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Wallace Stegner (1909 - 1993) was a renowned novelist and writer of the West.

True, he is an old dead white guy, but his writing remains very much alive and worthy of our attention, especially for those who aspire to be writers.

Background: Stegner was born in Iowa and in the early 1960s, he established the creative writing program at Stanford University, one of the first of its kind in the country. The Stegner Fellowship at Stanford is highly coveted by young writers. If this is a definite legacy for Stegner, the writing in the BLUEBIRD SINGS essay collection has continued significance for at least two reasons.

First, there is much to learn about writing from him. Examine closely his sentences, his unique voice, and his passion for various subject matters, whether it's his mother, desert mountain hikes, or rural Saskatchewan. If any of us could emulate his smooth-flowing and richly detailed style, publication would likely follow.

Second, his conservationist and environmentalist perspective of the West, highlighting the beauty and fragility of its aridity, is even more relevant today. The use or misuse of resources and the struggle to protect the land are not only timely but also beautifully presented.

The BLUEBIRD collection is composed of short essays, each on a different subject. Every single one is worth your time, both as a reader and a writer.
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