This is a rather challenging one.

Recapitulation is a sequel to The Big Rock Candy Mountain. I truly wish I had re-read the latter before delving into this one, as it has been several years since I last read Mountain.

For a significant portion of this book, I found myself pondering what the point was. It recounted numerous incidents from Bruce's life that were not present in Mountain, yet they mainly served to reinforce the fact that his father was abusive.

But then...

Then I returned to the town where I grew up while listening to this audio book. I went to visit my mom, who had just been placed in a nursing home. I drove along the streets that I have known since childhood, witnessed all the changes, and recalled what businesses used to occupy those buildings. I remembered how this street wasn't so wide before, the year Enid got its first McDonald's, and how I worked there for two weeks when I turned sixteen and despised the thought of having to work for decades.

Everything that Stegner was saying then came into sharp focus. It is a book about coming to terms with the past and the people who inhabit your past. It is a book about forgiveness and moving on, told in Stegner's typically beautiful prose. I award it four stars instead of five solely because it is somewhat lacking in the plot department; this is almost purely a character study, but it is a remarkable one.

I really wanted to read a book that was so full of precise Wasatch Front descriptions on the eve of my departure to Duluth.

It was as if I was seeking a connection, a way to ground myself before embarking on this new journey. The parts that were so comical added an unexpected layer of charm. I don't recall coming across such humor in other works by Stegner that I've read.

It made me wonder if this particular book was a departure from his usual style, or if I had simply overlooked the lighter moments in his other writings.

Either way, it was a pleasant surprise and had me eagerly turning the pages, eager to see what other delights awaited me within its covers.

As I sat there,沉浸 in the words, I could almost picture the Wasatch Front in all its glory, despite having never been there myself.

The author's vivid descriptions brought the place to life, making me feel as if I was right there, experiencing it all for myself.

It was a wonderful escape, a brief moment of peace and tranquility before the chaos of travel ensued.

Stegner is always remarkable. Even though his books belong to the 20th Century, they hold up extremely well as intricate and significant tales. "Recapitulation" is set in Salt Lake City in the late 1970s. However, it is constructed through recollections and deeply moving and heartfelt examinations of one man's past. He grew up in SLC during Prohibition and the Depression, coming of age in a complex and ever-changing world. It is somewhat of a sequel to "Big Rock Candy Mountain".

The story delves into the man's memories, exploring the events and emotions that shaped him. We witness his struggles and triumphs, his joys and sorrows. Stegner's writing is so vivid that we can almost feel as if we are there with the protagonist, experiencing his life along with him.

"Recapitulation" is not just a story about one man's past. It is also a reflection on the times in which he lived, the social and economic changes that were taking place. It shows us how these factors influenced his life and the choices he made. Overall, it is a powerful and engaging read that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

I have a deep affection for the writing style of Wallace Stegner. His unique approach to narrating this story was truly captivating and managed to keep my attention firmly fixed until the very last page.

I must admit that I initially had the inclination to give a higher rating. However, I found myself somewhat disappointed with the ending. Call me fussy if you will, but I was extremely interested in observing how life unfolded for the other main characters.

It seemed as if their stories were left somewhat unresolved, and I craved more details about their future endeavors and the challenges they might face.

Despite this minor setback, I still appreciate the overall quality of the work and the way Stegner was able to bring the story to life.

His ability to create vivid characters and a richly detailed world is truly remarkable, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

I completed The Big Rock Candy Mountain approximately four months ago. Before delving into the sequel, Recapitulation, I decided to take a short break. Having a brief interval between the two books was beneficial. It allowed TBRCM to have its own space and yet remain vivid in my memory.

TBRCM is without a doubt an outstanding book. However, Recapitulation failed to meet the mark. Although there are several excellent passages, the story often felt sluggish and uninteresting. By the conclusion of the novel, Bruce achieved closure regarding his past in Salt Lake City. Nevertheless, upon finishing the book, I did not feel a sense of closure with the story.

I wavered between awarding three or four stars but ultimately settled on four stars. This was because there were numerous powerful passages and beautiful descriptions of Utah's landscape. The vivid imagery and the author's ability to bring the setting to life were truly remarkable. Despite the flaws in the story's pacing, these elements redeemed the book to some extent.

Ambassador returns to Salt Lake City to lay his beloved Aunt to rest. As he steps foot in the familiar city, a flood of dreams and recollections wash over him, overwhelming his emotions. He finds himself lost in the past, reliving the moments that shaped him. However, his overly florid state of mind leads him to a cowardly decision. He refuses to pick up the phone and call his old friend Joe, whose family had such a profound influence on his youth. It is a moment of weakness that he will later regret.

One of Helene's poor selections for the book club, this story fails to engage the readers on a deeper level. The overly emotional narrative and the lack of a strong plot make it a forgettable read. While the idea of exploring the ambassador's past and his relationship with Joe has potential, the execution falls short. The author's attempt to create a sense of drama through the ambassador's cowardice feels forced and unconvincing. Overall, this story is a disappointment and does not live up to the expectations set by the book club.

Another wonderful book by Stegner

Wallace Stegner is a renowned author known for his captivating storytelling and vivid descriptions. His latest book is no exception. It takes readers on a journey through a world filled with rich characters and complex emotions.

The story unfolds in a small town, where the lives of the inhabitants intertwine in unexpected ways. Stegner's writing brings this town to life, allowing readers to experience the joys and sorrows of its residents.

One of the highlights of the book is the author's ability to create fully developed characters. Each character has their own unique personality, motives, and flaws. This makes them relatable and engaging, and readers will find themselves invested in their fates.

The plot is also well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. It explores themes such as love, loss, and redemption, in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

Overall, this is another wonderful book by Stegner that is sure to delight fans of his work and attract new readers as well. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story.

Only an elite novelist could succeed in what Wallace Stegner accomplishes with “Recapitulation.”

This novel, a sequel to “The Big Rock Candy Mountain,” is more contemplative than event-based and episodic. The reader spends a significant amount of time delving into the mind of the protagonist, Bruce Mason. We witness his experiences as a teenage boy during his formative years, but also dwell in his adult thoughts and emotions.

“Recapitulation” is about the recollection of the past and coming to terms with repressed anger, humiliation, guilt, and loss. It explores how Bruce Mason returns to Salt Lake City 45 years after his father's death to attend the burial of his aunt.

His State Department colleagues saw him as a man focused on the future, but the reader discovers that he has returned to deal with the hurtful memories of his youth.

Walking the streets of the city, Mason imagines himself as a volatile and impulsive youth. The root cause of his deprived childhood was his father, Harry Mason, who was constantly in search of self-gratification.

Bruce's mother was his lifeline during his early teenage years. At school, he was a scrawny outcast, but he found acceptance through Joe Mulder at the tennis club.

Because of Joe, Bruce ventures into the world of relationships with girls and falls in love with Nola Gordon. Wallace Stegner is a master of subjective narration and a superb scene writer.

One such scene shows Bruce bringing Nola home to meet his mother, and the tensions that arise when his father returns.

Stegner reflects on the subtleties of human existence, making us question our own past experiences and whether we should cherish or try to forget them.

3.5 rounded to 4*

This book was first published in 1979, which was 36 years after the publication of The Big Rock Candy Mountain. In that earlier work, we were first introduced to Bruce Mason and his family. Back then, Bruce was in his early 20's and attending his father's funeral as he shared the story of his family, with a particular focus on his father. Now, in this new book, Bruce is in his 60's and is attending his father's sister's funeral in Salt Lake City. He has had a successful career, having been a US ambassador and now owning his own consulting company. He hasn't been back to Salt Lake City since he buried his father, and he is amazed by the growth of the city. He is only there for a couple of days and spends most of that time reminiscing about his life there. He recalls his days as a grade school student, a high school student, a college student, and a law school student. He remembers his mother, his brother, his girlfriends, and his best and worst friends. But perhaps above all, he remembers his father.

This is a very melancholy book. As other reviews have pointed out, Bruce Mason's family is based on Stegner's own. It seems that in the decades between the two books, both Bruce Mason and Stegner have mellowed and gained perspective. I didn't enjoy this book as much as TBRCM, but I can definitely appreciate it. And Stegner is so skilled at description - it's accurate and beautiful. It's also worth noting that there's no need to read TBRCM before this book. Each one stands on its own with very little overlap. Just like the first three Gilead books, it doesn't matter what order you read them in.

I still have a few more of Stegner's books in my audio TBR pile and I'm looking forward to them. I'm grateful to that July 2020 NY Times article that introduced me to this wonderful author.

This is such a remarkable book.

It has the power to transport the reader back to an earlier life, painting a vivid and detailed picture with every turn of the page.

The author's skill in storytelling is truly outstanding, as not a single word is wasted in its telling.

Each sentence is carefully crafted to convey the essence of the story, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged from beginning to end.

The book is a testament to the beauty and power of words, and a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good story.

It will leave you with a sense of wonder and a longing to return to the world that the author has created.

Overall, this is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

This book was on my to be read shelf.

Actually, it is not just one shelf but multiple shelves.

I happened to notice that I bought two copies of the used books.

Although it is not an easy read for me, Recapitulation is truly compelling.

It has the power to set off my own memories in multiple directions.

As I progress through the book, I find myself getting more and more engaged.

I am nearly done with the book, and I am eager to see how it all concludes.

The story has taken me on a journey of self-reflection and has made me think about my own life in new ways.

I am glad that I decided to pick up this book and give it a chance.

Even though it presented some challenges, the rewards have been well worth it.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with others once I have finished reading.

Overall, this has been a great reading experience for me.

As always, I was truly transported by Stegner's beautiful, effortless prose. His words seemed to flow like a gentle river, carrying me along with ease.

However, even that remarkable prose, nor the transcendent descriptions of the breathtaking landscape in Utah, could manage to make me truly care about Bruce or any other character in this story.

I could, to some extent, understand the impulse within Bruce to walk down memory lane when he returned to the location of his childhood and youth, as he did by coming back to Salt Lake City after a long absence. But that understanding simply didn't translate into any kind of connection to Bruce's journey on my part. Instead, I found the whole narrative rather tedious and unengaging.

Nevertheless, I am perfectly willing to accept that perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mind to read this particular work at this time. Maybe I should give it another go at some later date. But, truth be told, I don't really know if I ever will. It remains to be seen if I will be able to find the right perspective to fully appreciate this story.