Discover books similar to "Angle of Repose"
Wallace Stegner
Angle of Repose
4.27
Wallace Stegner's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Angle of Repose," is a profound exploration of the American West, family, and the complexities of human relationships. The story revolves around Lyman Ward, a retired history professor confined to a wheelchair, who becomes consumed with writing the biography of his pioneering ancestors. Stegner masterfully interweaves Lyman's present-day struggles with his grandparents' past, creating a rich, multilayered narrative that delves into themes of love, ambition, and the inexorable pull of the past. The novel's title refers to the geological term for the angle at which loose material will remain stable, a metaphor that resonates throughout the story, as characters grapple with their own stability amidst the shifting sands of life. The narrative is punctuated by Lyman's poignant reflections on his own life, his marriage, and his estrangement from his daughter, offering a poignant counterpoint to the historical narrative. Stegner's prose is both lyrical and precise, painting vivid images of the stark, beautiful landscapes of the American West and the people who have been shaped by them. "Angle of Repose" is not only a compelling family saga but also a profound meditation on the nature of history and how it shapes our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Stegner's ability to bring the past to life and to illuminate the present-day consequences of historical actions is unparalleled. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in the American West, family dynamics, or the human condition...
List of books similar to "Angle of Repose":
Jane Smiley
A Thousand Acres
'A Thousand Acres' is a retelling of Shakespeare's 'King Lear', set on an Iowa farm. Like 'Angle of Repose', it delves into family dynamics, loyalty, and the weight of the past, offering a powerful examination of the American heartland and its people.
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Wallace Stegner
Crossing to Safety
If you enjoyed the rich character development and exploration of enduring friendship in 'Angle of Repose', you'll appreciate 'Crossing to Safety'. This novel follows the lives of two couples over four decades, weaving together themes of love, ambition, and the power of friendship.
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Richard Powers
The Overstory
Fans of Stegner's deep connection to the land and nature in 'Angle of Repose' will find similar themes in 'The Overstory'. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel intertwines the lives of several people and their relationships with trees, revealing the beauty, complexity, and resilience of the natural world.
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Annie Dillard
The Living
In 'The Living', Dillard explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, much like Stegner does in 'Angle of Repose'. The novel follows a family building a home on a remote Alaskan island, delving into themes of survival, adaptation, and the human spirit.
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Leif Enger
Peace Like a River
If you enjoyed the sense of place and the exploration of family bonds in 'Angle of Repose', you'll appreciate 'Peace Like a River'. This novel combines elements of realism and magical thinking, following a family on the run from the law and their past, seeking peace and redemption.
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Richard Ford
Independence Day
The second book in Ford's Frank Bascombe series, 'Independence Day' features a similar introspective and contemplative narrative style to 'Angle of Repose'. The novel follows Bascombe through a single Fourth of July weekend, exploring themes of family, marriage, and the passage of time.
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Kristin Hannah
The Great Alone
In 'The Great Alone', Hannah delves into the harsh beauty and isolation of Alaska, much like Stegner does in 'Angle of Repose'. The novel follows a family trying to start anew in the wilderness, revealing the power of human resilience and the importance of connection.
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Carol Shields
The Stone Diaries
Like 'Angle of Repose', 'The Stone Diaries' is a deeply introspective novel that explores the complexities of life, relationships, and personal identity. The novel follows the life of Daisy Stone Goodwill, from her birth to her death, offering a rich and poignant examination of an ordinary woman's extraordinary life.
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Jamie Ford
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
If you were moved by the historical and cultural aspects of 'Angle of Repose', you'll appreciate 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet'. Set in Seattle during World War II, the novel explores the lives of a Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl, uncovering the challenges and heartaches of their wartime experiences.
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