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Diane Barnes's Reviews > Wolf Willow
Wolf Willow
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I'm not sure whether to call this memoir, history, or fictional inspiration, but whatever is it, it's Stegner so it's good.
Stegner goes back to Whitemud, Saskachewan, where he spent his early childhood homesteading with his family. He is in his 50's, so this is a trip down memory lane for him. He not only remembers his boyhood in town in the winters and farming wheat and flax on their homestead in the summers, but incorporates the history of the Plains, the Native Americans, and even the Royal Canadian Mounties. He throws in a couple of short stories to illustrate the harsh life of the cowboys and the homesteaders as well.
Having read Big Rock Candy Mountain just a few months ago, I recognized a lot of the memories in this book that he incorporated into his fiction. He himself admitted he wasn't sure what was fiction and what was memory, but, as I said, it's Stegner, so it doesn't matter.
Stegner goes back to Whitemud, Saskachewan, where he spent his early childhood homesteading with his family. He is in his 50's, so this is a trip down memory lane for him. He not only remembers his boyhood in town in the winters and farming wheat and flax on their homestead in the summers, but incorporates the history of the Plains, the Native Americans, and even the Royal Canadian Mounties. He throws in a couple of short stories to illustrate the harsh life of the cowboys and the homesteaders as well.
Having read Big Rock Candy Mountain just a few months ago, I recognized a lot of the memories in this book that he incorporated into his fiction. He himself admitted he wasn't sure what was fiction and what was memory, but, as I said, it's Stegner, so it doesn't matter.
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Reading Progress
February 8, 2021
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Started Reading
February 8, 2021
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February 8, 2021
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to-read
February 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
bedtime-books
February 14, 2021
– Shelved as:
western-literature
February 17, 2021
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Finished Reading
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Feb 17, 2021 07:24AM
Mmmmmm. Stegner. Delicious.
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Very good, Diane. I'm glad -- and relieved -- to see those 4 stars.It is a unique mixed bag and the closest thing to an autobiography of Stegner that we have. Like you, I recognized much of the memoir as a result of reading his autobiographical novel, "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" and also his short story collection which includes the two fictional stories that he included in "Wolf Willow."
I didn't mind rereading what I had already read, but what I really appreciated was his history of Saskatchewan. What I knew about that was rather sketchy at best, but now feel that I have a much better grasp of the province's fascinating history.
What interested me the most was realizing that the Plains extended into Canada, and the cowboys and natives and weather were identical. Everything the same but the government. In my American arrogance and ignorance, everything just stopped at the border and became something different. I also enjoyed the history of the Mounties and those red coats. He also made the beauty and the cruelty of homesteading very real.
Diane wrote: "What interested me the most was realizing that the Plains extended into Canada, and the cowboys and natives and weather were identical. Everything the same but the government. In my American arroga..."That's funny what you said about the border. If that were true, the area immediately south of the Rio Grande would be different from southern Texas. But at least in that case the river, at least for part of the border between the U.S. and Mexico, is a clear demarcation.
But the border between the U.S. and Canada, the world's longest unfortified border, is a line drawn on a map.
Somebody once said: "God created war so that Americans could learn geography." That's a very cynical statement, but, for example, most Americans had never heard of Pearl Harbor, much less have been able to locate it on a map, before it was attacked by Japan.
I also enjoyed reading about the Mounties, especially that Stegner held them in such high esteem.
What a great quote. Cynical, maybe, but true nonetheless.
My love of Stegner has already landed this on my TBR, but now, of course, I am anxious to get to it. I am fascinated by your and Howard's conversation!
This should be a good look into Stegner’s writing mind. Sounds great, Diane.
Did you run out of Stegner’s novels already, Diane?
Sara and Judith, this is the first non-fiction I've read by him, but great writing is great writing.
Not yet Pedro, but I had this on my shelf and then Howard reviewed it, and I've been trying to read more books that I already own, and I was in the mood for some non-fiction........
Toss up between Crossing To Safety and Big Rock Candy Mountain, but Angle of Repose is right up there at the top too.
I'll obviously need to read this at some point. But I should probably get through the few I own on my bookshelf first! Great review, Diane :)
Yes Candi, that age old problem of readers. If I think about it too much, I have anxiety attacks over how many books I want to read.
Fabulous review. Another reminder I should get to Angle of Repose, it's been gathering dust on my bookshelf.
Terrific review, Diane. Discovered Stegner last year, and just loved his writing. Definitely plan all his books.
Bianca, AofR is not an easy book, but it's worth it.
Antoinette, I still have a few to get to myself.
