The Spectator Bird
This tour-de-force of American literature and a winner of the National Book Award is a profound, intimate, affecting novel from one of the most esteemed literary minds of the last century and a beloved chronicler of the West. Joe Allston is a cantankerous, retired literary agent who is, in his own words, "just killing time until time gets around to killing me." His parents and his only son are long dead, leaving him with neither ancestors nor descendants, tradition nor ties. His job, trafficking the talent of others, has not been his choice. He has passed through life as a spectator, before retreating to the woods of California in the 1970s with only his wife, Ruth, by his side. When an unexpected postcard from a long-lost friend arrives, Allston returns to the journals of a trip he has taken years before, a journey to his mother's birthplace where he once sought a link with his past. Uncovering this history floods Allston with memories, both grotesque and poignant, and finally vindicates him of his past and lays bare that Joe Allston has never been quite spectator enough.
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Community Reviews
I wasn't enjoying it much through the first half or so. But as the Denmark portion of the story developed, I became more intrigued. Even the California parts had more color & interest at that point, so it finished strong.
I had read Angle of Repose a few years ago and was surprised by how much I enjoyed Wallace Stegner's writing. I always meant to go back and read more of his work. Well, I finally got around to it. And once again, I'm reminded of the pleasure that comes from a well-written story.
Joe is pushing 70, a curmudgeonly retired literary agent. Not his career of choice. Of course, looking back, nothing that's happened has been by choice. He's floated along where the current took him, almost like a... spectator in his own life.
A postcard arrives in the mail from an old friend that dredges up painful memories from long ago -- the death of their son, and unresolved issues that have been hanging over him and his wife Ruth for 20 years.
I do enjoy these stories of reflection, re-examination, especially now as I'm "getting on" in years and find myself doing that quite a bit. Whether I want to or not! And usually in the middle of the night. :-O Memories can be relentless, can't they?
A great study on the human condition. Stegner was expert at taking a seemingly ordinary life and digging into the psyche to make it relatable and fascinating.
Joe is pushing 70, a curmudgeonly retired literary agent. Not his career of choice. Of course, looking back, nothing that's happened has been by choice. He's floated along where the current took him, almost like a... spectator in his own life.
A postcard arrives in the mail from an old friend that dredges up painful memories from long ago -- the death of their son, and unresolved issues that have been hanging over him and his wife Ruth for 20 years.
I do enjoy these stories of reflection, re-examination, especially now as I'm "getting on" in years and find myself doing that quite a bit. Whether I want to or not! And usually in the middle of the night. :-O Memories can be relentless, can't they?
A great study on the human condition. Stegner was expert at taking a seemingly ordinary life and digging into the psyche to make it relatable and fascinating.
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