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" Powerful book, better after you've been married and had children. "
- Sarah, 2/4/2014
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" It was such a treat to read Stegner again. This book lead me to much introspection about what I do and say and what I really want to do and say. Great writing by a great author. "
- Gloria, 2/2/2014
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" Get out your dictionaries..it's a Wally book. Of course, amazing writing abilities, sad, deep, poignant story. More like a 3 1/2 star for me. "
- Amy, 1/27/2014
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" This one was hard to read because Stegner lets you know, in the first few pages, that it will be sad, and it's heavy on introspection. The narrator/main character is lovable and infuriating, funny but unwilling to bend or change. He figures things out the hard way. I wept through the final chapters. "
- Anna, 1/22/2014
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" I think this novel was supposed to make a person think and also leave an optimistic ending on a sad story. It just made me sad. While I can see why some people would like this book more than I did, I only gave it 2 stars, because I felt like the author was trying to force some philosophies on the reader, and that turned me off. "
- Duncanhome, 1/22/2014
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" This is one of those rare novels that has stayed with me in its entirety for almost twenty years. I remember specific moments of holding it in my hands, the first time I read it -- of bus rides and cafes, of an ugly green linen jacket I wore a lot back then. Sad and lovely, just like life. "
- Amy, 1/17/2014
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" Wallace Stegner is a wonderful writer with an incredible gift. "
- Lisa, 1/3/2014
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" All the Little Live Things was a great read. I liked the format of the book and the narrative. It was interesting how Stegner revealed the layers of the narrator, much of his feeling devulged in a letter never sent. Another high pt was the great depiction of the awkwardness of human relationship especially father/son relationships. All in all an amusing and moving read. "
- Nichole, 1/1/2014
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" Wallace Stegner writes beautifully. His attention to the details is remarkable. There are things that I liked about this book and parts that bothered me, but I loved the character, Marian. She made the book for me. I wished I was a little more like her. This book has one of the most beautifully written endings I've read. "
- Molly, 12/31/2013
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" The little community depicted in this book is hard to resist, despite (or maybe because of?) its slightly sour eccentricities. Stegner's prose is incredibly beautiful; possibly my favorite sentence is: "The days dripped away like honey off a spoon." What an image... "
- Amy, 12/27/2013
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" Very intense. I feel quite shell-shocked by the ending. But a beautiful book. This is my first Stegner; I will for sure read more. "
- Hashi, 11/26/2013
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" Complex character of Joe - who is flawed in so many ways and because of that intensely human. Love the tension between the characters, the hippie commune, so very 60s/70s. "
- Househound, 11/23/2013
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" All Stegner is excellent... "
- Janet, 11/15/2013
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" Anything by Stegner is worth reading. This book looks at the affect suicide has on the ones left behind. "
- Jean, 11/8/2013
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" Enjoyable read. I did not like this one quite as much as Angle of Repose, but still very good. "
- Kim, 10/25/2013
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" This book is like a train wreck. You can see what is going to happen. You can't do anything about it. And you can't look away. I can't say that I enjoyed it but I couldn't force myself to stop reading. "
- Dave, 7/28/2013
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" Another excellent read. Short and compelling. "
- Liz, 3/26/2013
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" Miraculous piece of writing, very powerful, poignant, not afraid of emotion. "
- Peter, 1/17/2013
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" A very introspective narrative. Smart, sad, and a celebration of the wonders of life. "
- Bob, 7/15/2012
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" bookclub choice. I like this author and will read more by him. "
- P, 6/21/2012
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" atmospheric. i was expecting a much more exciting ending. well, the ending was exciting, just not the way i was imagining it would be. more weird exciting than climactic yet true to life exciting. "
- Chrissie, 2/1/2012
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" Excellent writer. "
- Sydney, 1/19/2012
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" Perfectly constructed and devastating, this book will slap you across your fat face. "
- Alec, 1/14/2012
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" A well written,beautiful story of friendship,love and loss. "
- Geneva, 8/21/2011
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" I loved the way this book was written - you can easily become enwrapped in each character and the conflicts that they each face throughout the book. "
- Jenny, 7/21/2011
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" I mainly think Wallace Stegner's writing is just lovely. This book took me a minute to get into, but then I really enjoyed it. I loved the amazing pictures he painted throughout the book and thought the story/issues came together artfully and symbolically beautiful at the end. "
- Annie, 5/14/2011
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" I loved this book. Stegner is a beautiful and descriptive writer. There was a night of blubbering in bed. If a book can evoke such emotion, it is good! I want to read more of Stegner!
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- Nmsbay, 5/8/2011
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" This is one of those rare novels that has stayed with me in its entirety for almost twenty years. I remember specific moments of holding it in my hands, the first time I read it -- of bus rides and cafes, of an ugly green linen jacket I wore a lot back then. Sad and lovely, just like life.
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- Amy, 4/29/2011
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" Very good book. A bit hard to read at times, but he builds the story slowly and beautifully.
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- Kalpana, 4/6/2011
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" Reading on my Touch. Stegner is always engaging. Not my favorite but . . . there is always more than the words on the page.
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- Mary, 3/19/2011
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" Get out your dictionaries..it's a Wally book. Of course, amazing writing abilities, sad, deep, poignant story. More like a 3 1/2 star for me.
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- Amy, 2/17/2011
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" Sophisticated writing. Most authors dream of writing this well. Interesting setting and ideas.
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- Holli, 2/13/2011
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" just couldn't get into this. I loved the writing but I'm still not done with the book. The story seems to drag on and not go anywhere. Sorry folks thought it would grab me but never did.
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- Christine, 1/17/2011
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" Beautiful, thought-provoking, lyrical, masterful writing! I started giving it a 5, but the beginning was a bit difficult to get into. Then it takes off and soars. I think I am now a Stegner fan.
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- Sue, 1/13/2011
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" Not my most favorite Stegner but it built to a powerful yet thoughtful ending. An interesting take on California in the 60s and the generation gap, from a sophisticated observer. And of course the sense of place (the West) was wonderful.
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- Sue, 11/7/2010
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" I mainly think Wallace Stegner's writing is just lovely. This book took me a minute to get into, but then I really enjoyed it. I loved the amazing pictures he painted throughout the book and thought the story/issues came together artfully and symbolically beautiful at the end.
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- Annie, 10/30/2010
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" Utterly, utterly depressing. Excellent writing, but there is certainly no "happily ever after" ending.
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- Cory, 10/28/2010
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