k5tog's review against another edition
4.0
The language of this book is beautiful - the descriptions of landscapes especially. The characters are all flawed (aren't we all?). And Lyman realizes more and more the failings of his grandparents as he studies his semi-famous grandmother's letters, illustrations and books/articles. At the same time, we see the flaws in Lyman as he struggles with his debilitating illness, the need to depend on others, the return of his estranged wife, and the overbearing-ness of his son.
emkeller's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
swoody788's review against another edition
3.0
This book is spectacularly written, full of beautiful imagery and powerful descriptions. The plot is compelling, but I had a hard time getting through the last quarter of the book. I can't say that I was disappointed in the ending but it just seemed so abrupt after the detail of everything leading up to it. I could have done without a few of the chapters. Maybe in a few years I'll pick it up again and absolutely love it, but for now, I'll say it was pretty good.
kongart's review against another edition
1.0
the only angle of repose that matters here is the angle of repose i died in while reading this tripe.
imyerhero's review against another edition
2.0
I was all ready to read a wonderful book and write a wonderful review in celebration of my fiftieth book review. But unfortunately, I was disappointed. I felt guaranteed a winner with another Stegner novel, having loved “Big Rock Candy Mountain” so much. Plus, with this book being such a heralded novel and an award winner to boot – I was confident. But this novel failed to draw me in – I disliked both of the major characters to the point where I was unmotivated to read about them. It was only Oliver who kept me reading, along with Stegner’s moving descriptions of the sweeping western panorama. The parallels between Lyman’s life and the lives of his grandparents’ were unmistakeable, but I couldn’t forgive the bitterness which seemed to roil underneath Lyman’s writing and somehow fail to overflow until the end. I felt too jerked around – sometimes we are in the past with Susan, sometimes in the present with Lyman, sometimes in the past with Lyman talking about Susan and sometimes, simply reading newspaper articles. My mind was overwhelmed – which doesn’t happen often. Reading books like this and being faced with this sort of reaction to them makes me feel ashamed that I am not overwhelmed by the literary beauty of the writing and the intricacies of the relationships, themes, and archetypes. But I have to be honest, I was left feeling unfulfilled, uninformed, and wondering what the heck had just happened.
jeffphilly's review against another edition
2.0
This just is not my typical book. It was chosen by a book club that I had been a part of. Sadly, I regret investing time into the book. Occasionally, I read novels although not often. I simply just had a hard time getting into the book as it did not really maintain my interest or focus. I should probably just stick to the sort of things that I usually read
bettyvd's review against another edition
4.0
Zowat halverwege de 674 pagina's voelde ik onrust. 'Komt er nog wat van?', je kent het wel. In dit boek over verloren dromen, over spijt, over eer en fatsoen en het verstrijken van de tijd, in dit boek dus, kwam het er wel degelijk van. Mooi!
scnole2021's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
j_f's review against another edition
1.0
Imagine you go to a stranger's house and he insists on showing you a photo album of his grandparents for like 25 hours straight (the time it took to read the book). Imagine his grandparents are utterly boring people who can't make even an affair or deaths seem exciting. And the whole time he's musing and you just don't care.
That's Angle of Repose.
That's Angle of Repose.
emilmoor's review against another edition
4.0
“Touch. It is touch that is the deadliest enemy of chastity, loyalty, monogamy, gentility with its codes and conventions and restraints. By touch we are betrayed and betray others ... an accidental brushing of shoulders or touching of hands ... hands laid on shoulders in a gesture of comfort that lies like a thief, that takes, not gives, that wants, not offers, that awakes, not pacifies. When one flesh is waiting, there is electricity in the merest contact.”