Why people recommend it
Recapitulation by Wallace Stegner is a deeply resonant novel that serves as a sequel to Big Rock Candy Mountain, following the younger son of the central couple as he returns to Salt Lake City later in life. The book was highlighted on an episode of The Book Review titled A.O. Scott on the Work of Wallace Stegner in July 2024. During the segment, host Pamela Paul shared a curated book recommendation originating from a bookstore owner, who listed Recapitulation alongside other notable works by Stegner, including Remembering Laughter and A Shooting Star, praising them all as great literary achievements. Following this, guest A.O. Scott expanded on the book during his literary discussion, explicitly noting its connection to Stegner's earlier masterpiece. Scott explained to the listeners that Recapitulation functions as a narrative follow-up many years later, focusing specifically on the younger son of Bo and Elsa Mason, the main couple from Big Rock Candy Mountain. The dual mentions on the podcast provided both a warm bookstore recommendation and a deeper critical context for fans of Stegner's sweeping family chronicles and his exploration of American familial relationships and geographical displacement.
Who recommended it
- Pamela Paul Recommended
- AO Scott Discussed
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“she said TR stegner's remembering laughter his first book recapitulation and a shooting star all are great”
AO Scott — 1 mention
“and recapitulation which you just mentioned is the sequel to it many years later the younger son of boow and Elsa Mason the main couple in Big Rock Candy Mountain comes back to Salt Lake City”