I had the chance to meet Wallace Stegner in 1968 when I was at Manchester University. Unfortunately I attended a faculty party the night before and somebody must have spiked my wine. I didn’t drink in those days and was horribly incapable for days. I spied Stegner from a distance.
Angle of Repose is one of my all-time favorite novels. It tells the story of the late 1800's American frontier so beautifully--especially by using the POV of Susan Ward (or, as you say, Mary Halleck Foote), a woman from the upper-class East.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is similarly half-fiction and half-biography. It's a fictionalized story of Stegner's own father--a man who probably is treated better than he deserves by Stegner's story. The first half of Big Rock is fantastic, when it focuses on Bo Mason (fictionalized Stegner's father), but it's weaker when it switches POV in the end to the son, Bruce Mason (who's kind of a fictionalized version of Stegner himself, but much more fictionalized than his father). But even with its weaknesses, it's a fascinating portrait of a man who spends his entire life searching for an easy fortune, only to destroy his wife and family in the process.
How interesting! I had never heard about the controversy surrounding Angle of Repose. It seems shocking these days that he didn't credit his source material...or at the very least fleshed out that note of thank a lot more. I have to admit that I had trouble getting on with Crossing to Safety, and have been hesitant to read any more Stegner since, but this makes me want to pick up Angle of Repose...right after I finish Literature for the People!
I was sure I'd read this but none of it rings a bell, and it sounds memorable. The ethics of writing fiction around real people is really complex and something I've had to think about myself. He should have made clear she wrote the letters IMO but changes to characters and events are inevitable. Laura Ingalls Wilder substantively reshaped her childhood to make her classic Little House books, to take another example from similar subject matter .
I've been listening to "A Good Read" for a long time now, and discovered some great books because of it.
I had never heard of Stegner, and I'm getting the same feeling as I once did listening to Ian McEwan being interviewed on the radio, recommending "Stoner" by John Williams. I bought it, read it and loved it.
I love the way you manage to shine a light on accomplished women who haven't received recognition, this time through the prism of a work of fiction.
I had the chance to meet Wallace Stegner in 1968 when I was at Manchester University. Unfortunately I attended a faculty party the night before and somebody must have spiked my wine. I didn’t drink in those days and was horribly incapable for days. I spied Stegner from a distance.
Hah! But even not hungover it might not have been the perfect encounter!
Angle of Repose is one of my all-time favorite novels. It tells the story of the late 1800's American frontier so beautifully--especially by using the POV of Susan Ward (or, as you say, Mary Halleck Foote), a woman from the upper-class East.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is similarly half-fiction and half-biography. It's a fictionalized story of Stegner's own father--a man who probably is treated better than he deserves by Stegner's story. The first half of Big Rock is fantastic, when it focuses on Bo Mason (fictionalized Stegner's father), but it's weaker when it switches POV in the end to the son, Bruce Mason (who's kind of a fictionalized version of Stegner himself, but much more fictionalized than his father). But even with its weaknesses, it's a fascinating portrait of a man who spends his entire life searching for an easy fortune, only to destroy his wife and family in the process.
Enjoyed “Crossing to Safety” a few years ago. Thanks for your recommendations for the rest of his books - definitely going to be on my list!
Sounds brilliant and the predictable furore well-written (as I would expect)! 📚💕
Not a writer that I’ve read as yet. Thanks for the recommendation!
How interesting! I had never heard about the controversy surrounding Angle of Repose. It seems shocking these days that he didn't credit his source material...or at the very least fleshed out that note of thank a lot more. I have to admit that I had trouble getting on with Crossing to Safety, and have been hesitant to read any more Stegner since, but this makes me want to pick up Angle of Repose...right after I finish Literature for the People!
I was sure I'd read this but none of it rings a bell, and it sounds memorable. The ethics of writing fiction around real people is really complex and something I've had to think about myself. He should have made clear she wrote the letters IMO but changes to characters and events are inevitable. Laura Ingalls Wilder substantively reshaped her childhood to make her classic Little House books, to take another example from similar subject matter .
I didn't know this novel Sarah so thank you.
It sounds seriously good. Controversy notwithstanding.
I've been listening to "A Good Read" for a long time now, and discovered some great books because of it.
I had never heard of Stegner, and I'm getting the same feeling as I once did listening to Ian McEwan being interviewed on the radio, recommending "Stoner" by John Williams. I bought it, read it and loved it.
I love the way you manage to shine a light on accomplished women who haven't received recognition, this time through the prism of a work of fiction.
Fascinating article. Thanks, Sarah.
So that's a coincidence, because I loved Stoner...and I'm pretty sure I picked that up through A Good Read as well!
Great show. Harriett Gilbert is so good.
I have a copy somewhere. Time for a reread.
Stegner was one of the great novelists of the American West.
I was lucky enough to read Angle of Repose while traveling in the American west. One of my favorite books!
Thank you, Victoria!