Have you read any Wallace Stegner lately? What? You haven't, but you mean to read him, soon? Well, why wait, you're missing a good one. After putting the book down several times, I finally had the wherewithal to stay with it. It was worth it. This gem of a prize winner, published over 40 years ago, has all the elements of a perennial favorite: strong elements of locale-the West; focused characters with well developed traits and sympathetic lives; conflicts, tragedy, dilemmas, lost love,lives lived; reflection and redemption. If you've ever thought about the West, read it, enjoy it. Mr. Stegner weaves a wonderful tale, blending time and generations(3) to great affect.
He captures the essence of relational conflict including the difficulties found with couples that include talent on both sides. His story almost foretells the future of modern culture where one can find 21st century couples wrestling with the same dilemma: How does one behave with the equal partner? Who gives more? who gives less? How is compromise made when breaking new ground in not one but two career choices? Which solution works best: the goal of economic independence or the goal of job satisfaction? Is the artist just as valued as the engineer? Can the artist adapt his goals to match the real world? All valid questions and the answers are subject to ongoing debate during this new millenium.
The Pulitzer Prize awarded to Stegner was the capstone to a stellar career as professor/author. A generation of students(at Stanford) benefited from his remarkable talents. Californians and those living here can find many many familiar places and names: New Almaden, Santa Cruz to mention a couple.
I was reminded, yes there was a town of Santa Cruz before the surfers arrived.
This book and Stegner come highly recommended.
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