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55 pages 1 hour read

The Spectator Bird

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1976

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Book Brief

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Wallace Stegner

The Spectator Bird

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

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 1970s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner follows retiree Joe Allston as he reflects on his past, spurred by a postcard from a Danish friend, which leads him to revisit a journal from a trip to Denmark with his wife Ruth after their son's death. They encounter a destitute countess, Astrid, and uncover dark family secrets involving genetics and predation, prompting Joe to confront his own regrets and reaffirm his love for Ruth. The book includes references to suicide, rape, incest, and eugenics.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

8,294 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner is praised for its eloquent prose and deep exploration of aging and memory. Positive reviews highlight the rich character development and reflective narrative. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the storyline less engaging. Overall, it offers a profound, if occasionally meandering, meditation on life's later years.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Spectator Bird?

Readers who enjoy reflective, character-driven narratives like Stoner by John Williams or Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner will appreciate The Spectator Bird. It appeals to those keen on introspective explorations of memory, aging, and identity, framed within rich, lyrical prose and evocative storytelling.

3.9

8,294 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 1970s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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