He felt like the last remaining spectator at the last act of a play he had not understood.

This is a perfect sequel to The Big Rock Candy Mountain, a book I love and think of often. It is also not at all the sequel I would have expected. Instead of picking up with Bruce Mason as he was at the end of Big Rock Candy Mountain, here Bruce is an old semi-retired ambassador who has spent most of his life away from Salt Lake City and away from the memories of his youth. He is called back to Salt Lake to oversee funeral arrangements for his aunt and is forced to reconcile with his former life.

With this concept, the book is essentially an old guy remembering (and misremembering) events from his formative years as prompted by the sights and sounds of a semi-familiar Salt Lake City. That is not a synopsis that would win over my English students, but Stegner pulls it off beautifully. He skillfully weaves together the past and the present, creating a rich and complex tapestry of a man's life.

I probably read this too young, since at 37 I cannot directly relate to its aging Bruce Mason. I'll read it again in twenty years. Still, though, I'm old enough to grapple with past regrets and might-have-beens and to be muddling my way through complex relationships with the people who mean the most to me. This book prods me to reflect on my own life and appeals to my better, kinder side to be more forgiving and understanding. It makes me realize that our past experiences shape who we are today and that we should strive to learn from them and move forward with grace and compassion.

An incredibly sad and beautiful book is presented here, delving into the intricate web of memory. It explores how specific life events have the power to etch a profound and lasting mark within us. The story unfolds, taking the reader on an emotional journey through the protagonist's memories. We witness the joys and sorrows, the hopes and dreams that have shaped their life. Each memory is like a precious gem, shining with its own unique light. As we turn the pages, we are drawn deeper into the complexity of the human mind and heart. The author's masterful storytelling brings these memories to life, making us feel as if we are experiencing them alongside the character. It is a book that will leave you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the power of memory.

Any book penned by this remarkable author is an absolute gem and a worthwhile read. His beautiful prose is like a flowing river, captivating the reader from the very first page. Moreover, his erudition is truly impressive, helping you to expand your vocabulary and enhance your knowledge. This particular book is a memory book that delves into the life of the young protagonist of "The Big Rock Candy Mountain". In 1977, he makes a return to Salt Lake City to lay an aunt to rest. However, upon his arrival, he finds himself淹没 in a flood of memories from his life there in the late 1920s and early 1930s. At that time, he was a poor and struggling student, constantly battling with his dysfunctional father. The story is somber and unsentimental, yet it leaves a lasting impression. The choices that the protagonist makes stay with you long after you have finished reading the book.

Some truly remarkable and evocative writing awaits within these pages. It takes the reader on a profound journey into the childhood and growth of an old man, introducing the various people he encounters along the way. There is a sense of love lost, which adds a touch of melancholy to the narrative.

What makes this piece particularly interesting is its portrayal of Salt Lake City evolving from the 1930s to the 1970s. It serves as a vivid snapshot of the city's transformation during that time period. However, it is important to note that the main character's views on women and Native Americans are somewhat dated. The unconscious misogyny present in the text made it a bit of a struggle for me to reach the end.

Nevertheless, I am glad that I persevered. It was difficult to determine whether the blind spots in the character's thinking belonged to the protagonist himself or were a reflection of the author's own biases.

Overall, if you have an interest in memories or autofiction, this work is definitely worth a read. It offers a unique perspective and challenges the reader to confront some uncomfortable ideas.

I usually have a great affection for Stegner's works, and I truly liked this sequel to Big Rock Candy Mountain. However, I didn't have an overwhelming love for it.

The outstanding aspects: As a resident of Utah who arrived shortly after the setting of this book, the references to Salt Lake City and other regional details are extremely accurate and astonishingly detailed. That might have been what I liked the most. It's also an imaginative approach to telling a story more comprehensively by approaching it from a different perspective.

Now, a bit about what doesn't quite function perfectly: While the aforementioned Big Rock Candy Mountain features autobiographical elements, it still operates as a very well-structured novel with excellent characters. This sequel features many of the same characters, but due to its shift in the point of view to that of Bruce Mason, the youngest son in Big Rock Candy Mountain, I had difficulties in connecting. Don't misunderstand me. It's a really cool concept to tell a sequel far in the future as a remembrance of an elderly Bruce. However, even though it's all his memories, it seems to focus just a little too much on things that only that narrator cares about. It also slightly loses its direction in the last, say, 20%. But only slightly. It still concludes effectively and is still written extremely well, of course.

I think it might have been more effective had I just finished reading Big Rock Candy Mountain. Give that a try if you're interested in this one.

I had really liked Stegner's "Spectator's Bird" a great deal. In fact, I was fully anticipating to have the exact same feeling about "Recapitulation". However, that was not the case.

It is quite possible that the author made the decision to pen another flashback-style novel. This could be because he had just won the National Book Award with that particular style. But in this book, one gets frequently entangled. It is not always clear whether the present or the past is being referred to. Every time I would pick up the book again, it required a bit of adjustment on my part. And I found this to be rather troublesome.

The author writes extremely well. His prose is engaging and captivating. I truly wish that he had chosen to use another style. Maybe then, the reading experience would have been more seamless and enjoyable. As it stands, the confusion between the present and the past detracts from what could have been a really excellent novel.

I have not read The Big Rock Candy Mountain.

Therefore, it was truly interesting to embark on this novel without any prior context.

Surprisingly, it was still a worthwhile read.

His prose is nothing short of exquisite.

At certain moments, his keen observations and profound reflections simply knocked me flat.

This book served as a window that provided a glimpse into my own past.

Moreover, it significantly expanded my understanding.

Overall, it is a beautiful read that I would highly recommend to others.

It has the power to touch the reader's heart and mind, leaving a lasting impression.

The author's ability to craft such a captivating story with his remarkable prose is truly admirable.

Whether you are a seasoned reader or new to the world of literature, this book is sure to offer something special.

So, don't hesitate to pick it up and embark on this wonderful literary journey.

A perfect follow-up to The Big Rock Candy Mountain, this story takes us on a journey with Bruce.

After being away for years, he returns to Salt Lake City to deal with the funeral of an aunt he didn't really care about. However, as soon as he steps foot in the city, memories start to assail him.

Ghosts from his past seem to haunt every corner, and the memories are sometimes random, just like memories often are. Some are happy, bringing a smile to his face, while others are painful, causing a twinge in his heart.

But Bruce knows that all these memories played a crucial part in shaping him into the person he ultimately became. He gives those memories the respect they truly merit.

I have always been a sucker for stories about the power of memory, and I must say that no one writes them as beautifully as Stegner does. This novel is an absolute beauty, captivating the reader from start to finish and leaving a lasting impression.

It makes us reflect on our own pasts and the role that memories play in our lives.

Definitely have to read this right after "Big Rock Candy Mountain" and being older in age. It truly presents a rather melancholy conclusion to what one envisions as a solitary existence.

As one delves into this piece, the sense of sadness lingers. The story seems to unfold like a tapestry of a life filled with longing and perhaps a lack of true connection. The ending, in particular, leaves a heavy weight on the heart, as if all the hopes and dreams that might have been associated with this imagined lonely life have come to a rather dismal close.

It makes one reflect on the nature of loneliness and how it can shape a person's journey. Despite the sadness, there is also a certain beauty in the rawness of the emotions portrayed. It serves as a reminder that even in the loneliest of lives, there are stories worth telling and lessons to be learned.

A single man in his sixties, who has dedicated his life to being a diplomat and has traveled the world, now finds himself returning to his hometown of Salt Lake City for the first time in 40 years. The purpose of his visit is to bury his last remaining relative, his aunt.

As he walks through the familiar streets and visits the places of his youth, the haunting memories of his complicated family, friends, and the lost love of his life come flooding back. He pauses frequently, lost in thought and reflection.

The reading is filled with many powerful moments of contemplation, right down to the ending. As he leaves the cemetery where his father, mother, brother, and aunt are buried, he contemplates the end of his own life. He decides that when the time comes, he wants his ashes to be spread "out beyond the Golden Gate somewhere" - the very place where we spread the ashes of my own mother and father.

This story is a poignant reminder of the importance of family, memories, and the passage of time. It makes us reflect on our own lives and the people and places that have shaped us.

Rather than simply picking up where Big Rock Candy Mountain left off, Stegner takes the reader on a journey through multiple flashbacks.

These flashbacks serve to meticulously detail Bruce Mason's life and loves before he commences his life's work.

As the story unfolds through these memories, the reader gains interesting context about Bruce's past.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. Many questions and struggles arise as Bruce remembers or perhaps even embellishes his troubled past.

These internal conflicts add depth and complexity to his character, making the reader more invested in his story.

Stegner's use of flashbacks in this way allows for a more comprehensive understanding of Bruce Mason and the events that have shaped him into the person he is today.

It also keeps the reader engaged, as they eagerly await to discover what new revelations will come to light as Bruce continues to reflect on his past.

Overall, this narrative technique adds a layer of richness and authenticity to the story, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

I couldn't finish it!

It wasn't because it was bad. In fact, it just never really managed to capture my interest at all. The story was very deliberate and had a slow pace.

The main character goes back to his hometown after an extremely long time. As a result, a significant portion of the narrative is him reminiscing about various things.

It doesn't seem like there is a great deal of action happening in the present moment. However, perhaps more of that will come later in the story.

Despite the slow start, there might be hidden gems and interesting developments that I would have discovered if I had continued reading.

Maybe I'll give it another chance at some point and see if it can draw me in more as the plot unfolds.