Wallace Stegner is my favorite author.

Recently, I was overjoyed to discover this outstanding biography in a local used book store.

The book, written by Jackson Benson, an English professor at San Diego State University, offers a comprehensive and perceptive exploration of both Stegner's professional achievements and his personal life.

It takes us on a journey from his childhood in Saskatchewan to his retirement years in Los Altos, CA.

Throughout the narrative, we gain insights into Stegner's family, his academic pursuits at various institutions such as the University of Iowa, the University of Wisconsin, Harvard, the University of Utah, and Stanford University.

We also learn about the backstories behind many of his renowned works, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Angle of Repose, as well as The Big Rock Candy Mountain, The Gathering of Zion, and Crossing to Safety.

Stegner is depicted as a disciplined, thoughtful, and hardworking writer and teacher.

He not only became the preeminent author of the American West but also a dedicated environmentalist and a caring mentor to his students.

This book is an excellent read and a captivating study of the factors that shaped Stegner's characters and style.

Now, I eagerly anticipate re-reading many of Stegner's works with the new perspective that this biography has provided.

This is a biography that is truly worthy of my favorite fiction writer.

As soon as I read Crossing to Safety, I became an immediate fan of Wallace Stegner. And I would definitely consider The Big Rock Candy Mountain to be one of my top three favorite stories.

I greatly admire the way Stegner approaches characters. This biography has been extremely helpful in explaining what makes Stegner such a singular and exceptional writer.

After reading this, I have a strong desire to read everything he has written. I want to reread all his fiction that I have enjoyed over the past decade and then explore all of his non-fiction as well. This includes a biography of Powell that masterfully draws together the history of the west, the spirit of conservation, and the story of a one-of-a-kind explorer.

If Stegner found a subject fascinating or important, it is certain that he will write about it with engaging imagery and vivid emotional honesty. I am truly in awe of his meticulous care with words and his unwavering sense of what makes writing truly work.

His works have had a profound impact on me, and I look forward to delving deeper into his literary world.

I read this passage quite fast. However, a scholar would approach it with a slower and more deliberate pace.

I recall having a deep affection for "Angle of Repose" a long time ago. This book had left a lasting impression on me, and it made me eager to know more about the author.

Interestingly, the author shares my love for California. This commonality further piqued my interest in getting to know him better.

I wonder what kind of experiences and perspectives the author had that led to the creation of such a remarkable work.

By delving deeper into the author's life and background, I hope to gain a better understanding of the inspiration and motivation behind "Angle of Repose."

Perhaps this exploration will also enhance my appreciation for the book and its themes.

I look forward to uncovering the secrets and stories that lie within the author's mind and works.

More than half a century ago, I enrolled in a college course on the short story.

The professor was distinguished-looking and highly articulate, with a fondness for discovering literary epiphanies and for the writings of Bret Harte. I knew nothing about Wallace Stegner personally, and the only thing I recognized about his professional career was that he had co-edited a collection of short stories that was one of the course texts.

My youthful ignorance of Stegner's life and works has been belatedly but amply remediated by Jackson Benson's excellent biography of him. Benson knew Stegner personally and had his cooperation for the project. However, as his subject once playfully predicted, the biography did not come to fruition until after Stegner's death.

Wallace Stegner's fiction was firmly entrenched in the realist tradition. Although it was not purely autobiographical, a good bit of it drew heavily from his own history, including humble origins and a difficult childhood. (Little did I realize that the man lecturing on James Joyce had once lived in a family tent and traveled from one homestead to another by horse and wagon.) Benson adroitly identifies the factual elements in Stegner's novels and short stories, placing them in the context of Stegner's rich and interesting life. He also offers extended critical but balanced commentary on many of Stegner's writings.

At the time of my encounter with him, Stegner had already achieved considerable distinction if not commensurate recognition. He had published eight novels and a lot of assorted non-fiction. Typecast as a "Western writer" (he was indeed that, but much more), even his later work often failed to attract attention in the Eastern press. Neither his Pulitzer Prize novel Angle of Repose nor his National Book Award novel The Spectator Bird received reviews in The New York Times. Although Stegner was anything but self-aggrandizing, his pride was understandably wounded by such exclusions.

As a university professor, Stegner taught a few antagonistic students whose reputations soon exceeded his own, a fact that he sometimes found galling. A strong traditionalist, he was particularly distressed by the attitudes expressed by "hippies" and "acid freaks" who rejected the "system" without proposing any positive replacements. Needless to say, Stegner was not enamored of the acclaim that Ken Kesey received, although he was apparently quite content with the successes of other former students such as Edward Abbey, Wendell Berry, and Larry McMurtry.

Wallace Stegner was not only an author; he was a political and environmental activist. He participated in anti-war demonstrations, served briefly as an assistant to Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall during the Kennedy administration, and held a four-year appointment on the board of the Sierra Club. His passionate environmental concerns frequently showed up in his books and articles.

I remember Stegner as a modest man who exuded delight in sharing his enthusiasm for good literature with his students. You didn't get lectures like Wallace Stegner's from a stuffed shirt. And he wasn't one.

Overall, Wallace Stegner was a complex and multi-faceted individual. His works were a reflection of his life experiences and his beliefs. He was a talented writer, a dedicated professor, and an active advocate for various causes. His contributions to literature and society will be remembered for years to come.

Phew. This book has been in-progress for a LONG time but I have my reasons!

Stegner is truly one of my favorite authors. What an amazing and prolific writer he was! He wrote a whopping 60 books, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction. In addition to that, he penned numerous essays and articles, taught writing, traveled extensively with his wife, gave lectures, and even won a Pulitzer prize. Not to mention his tremendous amount of work on the conservation of natural resources and years of in-depth study of the 'west'.

This biography is extremely well-written and very thorough. At times, it might be a bit more detailed than I needed, but nevertheless, I learned a great deal from it. I haven't read every single novel he wrote, but after reading this biography, I am now inspired to do so.

If you have not read his work before, this book may not hold as much meaning for you. However, it might very well encourage you to check out his writings. {I hope I just managed to convey that in less than 423 pages of rather small print.}

Interesting,

however, it seems to have a bit too much detail for my taste.

I appreciate the effort put into providing so much information, but sometimes it can be overwhelming.

It might be beneficial to simplify or condense the content a little to make it more accessible and easier to digest.

Nevertheless, the topic is engaging, and I can see the value in the detailed exploration.

Perhaps with a bit of refinement, it could become an even more enjoyable read.

Overall, it's a good start, and I look forward to seeing how it develops further.

Wallace Stegner was a remarkable figure who left an indelible mark on the American West.

He was not only a talented writer but also a passionate advocate for the preservation of the West's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Stegner's works, such as "Angle of Repose" and "Big Rock Candy Mountain," vividly描绘了 the landscapes, people, and history of the region.

His writing style was both lyrical and engaging, drawing readers into the rich tapestry of the American West.

Beyond his literary achievements, Stegner was also actively involved in environmental conservation efforts.

He recognized the importance of protecting the West's unique ecosystems and worked to raise awareness about the need for sustainable development.

His contributions to the understanding and appreciation of the American West continue to inspire generations of readers and conservationists alike.

In conclusion, Wallace Stegner was a true visionary whose work and activism have had a profound impact on the American West.

His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

Even for fans, this book details a life and mind far more amazing than we would have envisioned.

It takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through the pages, revealing the hidden depths and remarkable experiences of the subject.

The author has done an excellent job of painting a vivid picture, allowing us to truly understand the complexity and wonder of this individual's existence.

We are left in awe of the achievements and the unique perspective that is presented.

This book is not just a biography; it is a captivating exploration of a life that defies expectations and leaves a lasting impression.

It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in delving into the extraordinary lives of others and being inspired by their stories.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply curious, this book will surely exceed your expectations and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of a remarkable life.

I recognized his name and decided to purchase a used copy of this book.

To my great surprise, most of the content within the book was truly remarkable.

Although I should have been more familiar with his name and work much earlier, I'm fairly certain that I read one of his works related to the early days of Salt Lake City and his Mormon heritage when I got married to a Mormon.

Interestingly, many of the places he vividly describes in the book are ones that I have either seen with my own eyes, visited, or even hiked through.

The country he so passionately tried to protect is undeniably beautiful. Now, having delved into this book, I will continue to look at it with a sense of awe and also a deeper understanding of its rich history.

It is quite evident that a significant portion of this country requires protection, especially the areas along the Colorado River and extending through and including the Navajo lands.

These regions hold great ecological and cultural value that must be preserved for future generations to appreciate and cherish.

I’ve always had a deep affection for his writing.

Now, after reading this biography, I have gained a much more comprehensive understanding of who he was.

Wallace Stegner has truly become one of my new heroes.

This biography is an extremely thorough and highly informative piece of work.

It delves into every aspect of Stegner's life, from his early years to his literary achievements.

The author has done an excellent job of presenting the facts in an engaging and accessible manner.

Through this biography, I have learned about Stegner's struggles, his triumphs, and the events that shaped him into the remarkable writer he became.

I now have a greater appreciation for his work and a newfound respect for the man himself.

This biography is a must-read for anyone interested in Wallace Stegner or in the history of American literature.

Book 23 of 2024: Wallace Stegner: His Life and Work by Jackson J. Benson (1996, Viking Press, 472 p.)

I have delved into a significant amount of Stegner's fiction and non-fiction works. He truly stands as one of my all-time favorite authors.

Benson has crafted a comprehensive and well-researched biography that not only provides a literary summary but also offers a critique of most of Stegner's work. Having read his semi-autobiographical novels such as Big Rock Candy Mountain, Recapitulation, and Crossing to Safety (among others in his fiction repertoire), I was already acquainted with the general outline of his life.

This particular biography is truly outstanding. It presents excellent summaries of his diverse body of work, which includes novels, short stories, histories, articles, speeches, and more. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the writing process that Stegner underwent.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Wallace Stegner and his remarkable contributions to the world of literature.

Wallace Stegner was a renowned American author, celebrated for his vivid portrayals of the West. As the title implies, this book not only examines his life but also delves into some critiques of his works.

Generally speaking, I have a penchant for biographies. Personally, I would have preferred a greater emphasis on his "life" and a reduced focus on his "works" in this particular book. I thoroughly enjoyed the initial part of the book, which centered on his childhood in Southern Saskatchewan, a region close to where I myself grew up. It also explored his teenage years in Salt Lake City and some of his experiences as a university student. From there, he embarked on a path of writing and teaching at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford. However, this is where the book was frequently "interrupted" by criticism of his various works. Perhaps this would have been more engaging for me if I had read some of them. (I have only perused his childhood autobiography, Wolf Willow.) Admittedly, a significant portion of his fiction was inspired by the people in his life, so there was a certain parallel. Nevertheless, there was more criticism than I was initially interested in, and it was at this point that I would often (though not always) lose my concentration on the book. Overall, I thought it was just okay.