A review by mmarlborough
The Big Rock Candy Mountain, by Wallace Stegner
dark
emotional
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
5.0
5 ⭐️ alert! Holy moly. This will stay with me forever and one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I cried several times and cared for these raw characters immensely.
This is the sweeping family saga about the Mason family in the early 1900s: Bo is the flawed patriarch who spends his life chasing the next big cash fall, Elsa is the kind wife who stands by Bo no matter what, Chet is the eldest son who takes after Bo, and Bruce is the youngest son who is vulnerable.
This is semi-autobiographical, which is so heartbreaking. I cannot believe that I had not heard of this book or author. I can’t wait to read the rest of his works. Stegner created such realistic and layered characters that will remain with me. If you like character driven books, pick this classic up immediately (and DM me how many times you cry.)
✨Trigger Warnings: Racism, Animal Torture/Death, Miscarriage, Child Abuse, Suicide
This is the sweeping family saga about the Mason family in the early 1900s: Bo is the flawed patriarch who spends his life chasing the next big cash fall, Elsa is the kind wife who stands by Bo no matter what, Chet is the eldest son who takes after Bo, and Bruce is the youngest son who is vulnerable.
This is semi-autobiographical, which is so heartbreaking. I cannot believe that I had not heard of this book or author. I can’t wait to read the rest of his works. Stegner created such realistic and layered characters that will remain with me. If you like character driven books, pick this classic up immediately (and DM me how many times you cry.)
✨Trigger Warnings: Racism, Animal Torture/Death, Miscarriage, Child Abuse, Suicide