logo

30 pages 1 hour read

Norman Maclean

A River Runs Through It

Norman MacleanFiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1976

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Norman Maclean

A River Runs Through It

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1976
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Montana • 1920s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1160L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A River Runs through It is a semi-autobiographical novella by Norman Maclean, set primarily in the summer of 1937, depicting the lives of Norman and his younger brother Paul, the sons of a Scottish Presbyterian minister in Montana. The story interweaves family history, fly fishing, and philosophy, culminating in a tragic loss while exploring themes of love, connection, and the natural world's healing power. The novella involves situations related to alcoholism, gambling, and violence.

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.4

31,338 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It is lauded for its lyrical prose and profound exploration of family and nature. Critics praise its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, though some find its pacing slow. The autobiographical novella's introspective narrative offers a poignant reflection on life’s complexities, appealing to readers who appreciate meditative literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A River Runs Through It?

A reader who would enjoy A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean likely appreciates lyrical prose and themes of nature, family, and introspection. Fans of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea or Thoreau's Walden will find similar meditative qualities and a deep connection to the natural world.

4.4

31,338 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Montana • 1920s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1160L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.