Play Book Tag discussion

Lyman Ward, confined to wheelchair by illness, has returned to his family home to write the story of his grandmother. A well-bred woman and accomplished artist she followed her engineer husband across the country as he attempted to make his life in the West. They shared a great love for each other, but their love was equally tainted by great resentment.

I really loved Stegner's use of language. His words were well chosen and while the story moved slowly, it was never boring. I really enjoyed the story of Susan and Oliver Ward, but Lyman's own story was equally interesting. However, it was Stegner's descriptions of the western landscapes that really moved me. As a person who grew up in a western community that began its life as a mining town, it was a bit like coming home.

The book lost a star for me in that the end felt unfinished. I am not a reader that needs everything wrapped up in a neat little bow, but I wanted to know what happened after Susan and Oliver moved to California. I was less bothered by that conclusion, however, than I was by Lyman's story which seemed to just fizzle out with a bad dream. There was no resolution and no answers. The reader was just left hanging and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Stegner has brilliant use of language, but when I read this, about 20 years ago, I didn't like it; I didn't like the way he portrayed women in this novel or the one other of his I read, much to the chagrin of my IRL friend who loves his use of language and his novels. I wasn't giving stars yet, so am not sure if raising it up one for his wonderful use of language would have made it a 2 or a 3 for me.

I also love how Stegner uses language. This was the first book by him that I read and it made me a fan.

Agree with your review 100% . . .and yes, the language was truly the highlight.