genre: essays, non-fiction
I have read two of Stegner's novels, Big Rock Candy Mountain and Crossing to Safety, and both were live-changingly good. The kinds of books I still think about years and years later. When I found this compilation of his writings in the thrift store, I grabbed it because I felt like I had more to learn from him. Of course, I was right.
In these essays we learn about his early, migratory life. About the way the West and its culture became his home. Western writing is the topic of many essays - I really enjoying reading his thoughts about other Western writers and their contributions. I genuinely left this book with a feeling that I would like to delve more into the canon of Western novels, knowing how I have already been moved by what I have read so far. His way with words is absolutely masterful. If I am honest, sometimes I was almost baffled by his use of my language - so eloquent and sometimes rambling that I would have to pause and let my brain process what he was saying. I liked learning about the creation of the governmental authorities that have come into being to help protect our planet and I especially appreciated his own hot take in how the Mormon pioneers impacted the West in big small and overarching ways.
It isn't a novel, so it read slowly for me, but I am glad I stuck with it.
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