A River Runs Through It and Other Stories

by Norman Maclean
A River Runs Through It and Other Stories cover
Good Books rating 4.15
Western
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  • ID: 11197
  • Added: 2026-03-04
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780226472065
  • Publisher: University of Chicago Press
  • Published: 2017-05-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Norman Maclean's 'A River Runs Through It and Other Stories' is a deeply moving collection that weaves together the beauty of nature, the bonds of family, and the quiet moments that define a life. The title story, in particular, explores the intricate relationship between a father and his two sons, set against the backdrop of Montana's stunning landscapes and the art of fly fishing. /n/n The collection is not just a series of narratives but a meditation on life, loss, and the enduring power of love. Maclean's prose is both lyrical and profound, capturing the essence of the American West and the timeless themes that resonate with readers across generations.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2022-01-01
wholesome 4.25

The tale is leisurely and meditative, filled with warmth and family. It is wholesome but not in a child-appropriate sense.

The reviewer from The Storygraph describes the story as a leisurely, meditative tale that is filled with warmth and a strong sense of family. They use the term 'wholesome' to describe it, but clarify that it is not in a child-appropriate sense. This suggests that the story has a depth and maturity that appeals to adult readers. The reviewer appreciates the slow pace and the reflective nature of the narrative, which allows for a deep connection with the characters and their experiences.

Quick quotes

    It was a leisurely, meditative tale filled with warmth and family.

    Wholesome is a good word for it, but not in the child-appropriate sense.

    The story has a depth and maturity that appeals to adult readers.

Goodreads · Goodreads User · 2022-01-01
transportive 4.20

The best piece of the collection transports you to early 20th century Montana. It will make you want to take up fly fishing and find a time machine.

A Goodreads user highlights that the best piece of the collection is particularly transportive, taking the reader to early 20th century Montana. They mention that the story is so immersive that it might inspire the reader to take up fly fishing and even wish for a time machine to experience the setting firsthand. This suggests that the story is not only well-written but also evocative and engaging, creating a strong emotional connection with the reader.

Quick quotes

    It is the best piece of the collection and transports you to early 20th century Montana.

    It will make you want to take up fly fishing and find a time machine.

    The story is so immersive that it creates a strong emotional connection with the reader.

Pages of Julia · Julia · 2013-06-06
wholesome 4.00

The stories are not particularly short, with the first being over 100 pages. The collection offers a mix of length and depth, making it a varied read.

Julia notes that the stories in this collection vary significantly in length, with the first one being a novella of over 100 pages. This variety adds to the overall reading experience, as it allows for both quick reads and more immersive ones. The stories are filled with warmth and a sense of family, making them feel wholesome in a way that resonates with adults rather than children. Julia appreciates the depth and richness of the narratives, which transport the reader to early 20th century Montana.

Quick quotes

    The stories are not particularly short, not consistently: the first one is over 100 pages and therefore more properly a novella; the second is 20.

    This collection offers a mix of length and depth, making it a varied read.

    The stories are filled with warmth and a sense of family, making them feel wholesome.

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