A novel of friendship, beginning to end. Author Stegner creates a novel with roots in his own academic experience as a professor. His informed position infuses the story of two professors, struggling in academia against the odds of being named a full professor, a tenured professor, a peer recognized writer, and a husband and friend.
Stegner is one of the most successful writers when it comes to informing readers of his character's thinking, and how the character can navigate issues informed by lesser characters in the novel. Here we have these two couples, from different backgrounds, who genuinely take to each other despite their differences. The four are like pieces of a larger puzzle: separately, they appear confusing, distorted, and isolated; however, when assembled together, they make a perfect fit, and are complete.
The timeline followers their movements, their careers, their families, their personal developments and physical ailments. At the end, as one of the principle characters nears her death, much is wrapped up for the 4 lives that the reader was involved with over the years in the book's timeline. Stegner is a master of his craft, and his art worth the effort for all readers.
Mayor's 5 star rating*****
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