Angle of Repose

by Wallace Stegner
Angle of Repose cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8486
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781101872765
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2014-11-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Lyman Ward, a retired history professor confined to a wheelchair, embarks on a journey to write his grandmother's biography, uncovering the story of a strong-willed artist and pioneer who journeyed through the harsh landscapes of the West. As he delves into her past, he also confronts his own experiences and the changing America around him. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s counterculture, this novel explores themes of family, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the American West. Wallace Stegner's masterpiece is a deeply moving narrative that weaves together personal history and national identity.

Reviews
Lyndsay's Lit Reviews · 2023-08-25
sad 3.50

The book is deeply sad but powerful, making the reader feel a range of emotions.

The reviewer found the book to be deeply sad, but also powerful in its emotional impact. They appreciated the way the story made them feel, even though it was a deluge of bad stuff. The reviewer noted that the book's emotional depth and the way it explored themes of homesickness, aspiration, and failure made it a memorable read. The reviewer also highlighted the book's historical context and the way it captured the essence of the American West.

Quick quotes

    Lastly, Angle of Repose is so very sad.

    I want a book to make me feel things, sadness included, but this was a deluge of bad stuff packaged in.

    It is a powerful testament to the way that the American West.

The New York Times · 2020-06-01
exciting 4.00

The novel is a tour de force of precise, suspenseful prose but also a study in selfishness and irresponsibility.

The reviewer was impressed by the novel's precise and suspenseful prose, describing it as an exciting ride. However, they also found it to be an appalling study of selfishness and irresponsibility, which added a layer of complexity to the story. The reviewer appreciated the depth of the characters and the exploration of human nature, but also noted the moral dilemmas and flaws that made the narrative compelling. The story's emotional and psychological depth was particularly noted.

Quick quotes

    It's an exciting ride — a tour de force of precise, suspenseful prose.

    And also an appalling study in selfishness and irresponsibility.

    Chasing the American dream, the characters' flaws and failures are laid bare.

Book Thoughts from Bed · 2019-07-15
compelling 4.50

The writing brings the characters to life and captures the beauty of the American West. It's a compelling and beautifully crafted story.

The reviewer was captivated by Stegner's ability to make the characters feel real and alive. They also praised the vivid descriptions of the American West, which added a rich layer to the narrative. The story's emotional depth and historical context were particularly highlighted, making it a memorable read. The reviewer found the blend of personal and historical elements to be both engaging and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Stegner's wonderful writing makes the characters in Angle of Repose come alive.

    It also does justice to the unique beauty of the American West.

    A compelling and beautifully crafted story.

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