Wallace Stegner
Wallace Stegner (1909–1993) was an American novelist, short story writer, environmentalist, and historian, often called 'The Dean of Western Writers'. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1972 for his novel 'Angle of Repose' and the National Book Award for 'The Spectator Bird' in 1977. Stegner was also a professor of English at Stanford University, where he founded the creative writing program. His work largely reflects his upbringing in the western United States and his concerns about the environment and the preservation of natural landscapes.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Angle of Repose
This novel follows the story of a retired historian, wheelchair-bound due to a degenerative disease, as he explores the lives of his pioneering grandparents in the late 19th and early 20th century American West. Through letters, he pieces together their struggles, triumphs, and the impact of their relationship on their surroundings. The historian parallels his own life and failed marriage with that of his grandparents, leading to a deep exploration of the concepts of stability, perseverance, and the "angle of repose."
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2. The Spectator Bird
The novel follows the story of a literary agent, now retired, who lives a quiet life with his wife in California. Their peace is disrupted when an old postcard from a Danish aristocrat arrives, prompting them to revisit their past. The protagonist begins reading from his old journal, recounting their trip to Denmark years ago, where they became entangled in a mysterious and unsettling affair. The novel explores themes of memory, aging, and the choices that shape one's life.
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3. All The Little Live Things
The novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the inevitable confrontation with mortality through the eyes of a retired literary agent who, along with his wife, seeks tranquility in the California hills. Their idyllic retreat is disrupted by the arrival of various characters, including a free-spirited young woman battling cancer and a stubborn neighbor intent on destroying the natural landscape. As the protagonist grapples with the intrusion of these "little live things," he reflects on the themes of aging, loss, and the enduring struggle to find meaning in the face of life's impermanence.
