Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Description

“Angle of Repose” is a novel written by Wallace Stegner, first published in 1971. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1972.

The novel is a sweeping family saga that spans multiple generations and explores themes of love, marriage, ambition, and the American West. The narrative is framed by the story of Lyman Ward, a wheelchair-bound historian who is writing a biography of his grandmother, Susan Burling Ward.

As Lyman delves into his grandmother’s life and letters, he reconstructs the story of her marriage to Oliver Ward and their struggles to build a life together in the harsh landscape of the American frontier. Set primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the novel vividly depicts the challenges faced by pioneers and the tensions between individual desires and societal expectations.

Through Susan’s story, Stegner paints a rich portrait of the American West and explores the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time. “Angle of Repose” is celebrated for its lyrical prose, rich characterizations, and profound insights into the human condition. It remains one of Stegner’s most acclaimed works and a classic of American literature.