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Angle of Repose Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Wallace Stegner (Author), Mark Bramhall (Narrator), Blackstone Audio, Inc. (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,863 ratings
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Winner of the Pulitzer Prize when it was first published in 1971, Angle of Repose has also been selected by the editorial board of the Modern Library as one of the hundred best novels of the 20th century.

Wallace Stegner's uniquely American classic centers on Lyman Ward, a noted historian who relates a fictionalized biography of his pioneer grandparents at a time when he has become estranged from his own family. Through a combination of research, memory, and exaggeration, Ward voices ideas concerning the relationship between history and the present, art and life, parents and children, and husbands and wives. Like other great quests in literature, Lyman Ward's investigation leads him deep into the dark shadows of his own life. The result is a deeply moving novel that, through the prism of one family, illuminates the American present against the fascinating background of its past.

Set in many parts of the West, Angle of Repose is a story of discovery - personal, historical, and geographical - that endures as Wallace Stegner's masterwork: an illumination of yesterday's reality that speaks to today's.

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  1. Listening Length
    22 hours and 9 minutes
  2. Author
    Wallace Stegner
  3. Narrator
    Mark Bramhall
  4. Audible release date
    December 2, 2009
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  7. ASIN
    B002ZOVVTI
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 22 hours and 9 minutes
Author Wallace Stegner
Narrator Mark Bramhall
Audible.com Release Date December 02, 2009
Publisher Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B002ZOVVTI
Best Sellers Rank #13,109 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#284 in Classic Literature
#559 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#719 in Historical Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,863 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story compelling and enjoyable. They praise the writing quality as marvelous, articulate, and poetic. The book provides deep-felt insights into personal dynamics and the complexities of the human heart. Readers appreciate the finely developed characters and vivid imagery that depict the western frontier in earlier times. Overall, they consider the book well worth reading and satisfying.

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Story qualityWriting qualityInsightCharacter developmentValue for timeGeographySadnessPacing
271 customers mention "Story quality"246 positive25 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it compelling, memorable, and a timeless saga of promise. The richness of the relationships is also highlighted by readers.

"...A truly great novel takes this a step further and allows the reader's heart to experience vicariously the heart condition or lesson it is written to..." Read more

"...I believe he would have appreciated this fascinating, nuanced work, which can be mined for many levels of insight...." Read more

"Excellent book, but the Kindle version was poorly scanned, e.g. the word corner often comes through as comer; some of the many mistakes stop your..." Read more

"...of it are bizarre (the "modern" narrator is a character), and it is memorable, haunting, and beautifully written...." Read more

202 customers mention "Writing quality"177 positive25 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find the prose sophisticated and well-crafted, with poetic language and beautiful descriptions of scenes and people. The story is well-told and articulated, with a powerful literary effect.

"...It is a very powerful literary effect...." Read more

"...At one level, it sketches a prose picture of western landscapes and its people; at another, it provides a cross sectional look at landforms and the..." Read more

"...and it is memorable, haunting, and beautifully written...." Read more

"...Beyond this, I would say that it's a beautifully written and engaging story...." Read more

63 customers mention "Insight"60 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful and evocative. They appreciate the personal dynamics and settings examined in the story. The book explores human emotions, psychology, history, and geographical themes in an engaging way.

"...This gives the entire book a kind of sad and nostalgic feel as she lives out a predetermined existence that she is not privy to...." Read more

"...another, it provides a cross sectional look at landforms and the human perceptions, at another level it depicts a timeline of history, both personal..." Read more

"...and then I read this novel. Parts of it are bizarre (the "modern" narrator is a character), and it is memorable, haunting, and beautifully written...." Read more

"...But those are small complaints. This is a great book about people, about life, about regret, about forgiveness...." Read more

54 customers mention "Character development"49 positive5 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and complex. They appreciate the vivid imagery and apt metaphors that portray the narrator and his grandmother in captivating ways. Readers describe the author as descriptive, brave, and good-hearted.

"...It's good. In this book, the characters became my people, and their story pulled me in. It's two stories side by side, so to speak...." Read more

"...character, the tale chronicles the lives of a beautiful and enormously talented woman who marries a man of genius and purpose...." Read more

"...The characters in this are realistic and imperfect, with authentic personalities; the settings, from east to west, beautifully drawn and very easy..." Read more

"...in the West of the 1800's it is a wonderfully told story with vivid characters and poetic dialogue...." Read more

34 customers mention "Value for time"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book satisfying and well worth reading. They appreciate the introduction added to the new trade back edition. The book is leisurely and holds their interest with a love story, work story, betrayal, and competition.

"...; story between Oliver and Susan was by far the most satisfying...." Read more

"...It was an epic tale and well worth the investment of the time required to read it. I highly recommend the audio version" Read more

"An intriguing book and one of the most satisfying I've read, written by a skilled author, who takes the reader into the heads and hearts of the..." Read more

"...The writing and insight of humanity made it a very worthy read, even though sadness pervades." Read more

24 customers mention "Geography"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's geography. They find the descriptions of the West in earlier times vivid and the historical themes weaved throughout the narrative. The landscapes and vistas are described as amazing, raw, and breath-taking. Readers appreciate the author's skillful writing and the different view of the West from others.

"...landscapes and its people; at another, it provides a cross sectional look at landforms and the human perceptions, at another level it depicts a..." Read more

"...It has all the drama, history, and colorful locales needed for some very binge-worthy viewing." Read more

"...quite compelling, and Stegner's ability to describe people and landscapes is amazing and makes the book a great experience to read." Read more

"...Stegner's descriptions of the vistas were breath taking...." Read more

43 customers mention "Sadness"13 positive30 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some find it romantic and tragic, inspiring them with its message of regret, forgiveness, and hope. Others feel the grandmother is unrealistic and unlikable, their lives are unhappy and unfulfilled, and the ending is disappointing.

"...It is not intended to dazzle the reader and carry them rapidly from one entertaining experience to the next...." Read more

"...This is a great book about people, about life, about regret, about forgiveness...." Read more

"...The writing frequently failed to keep my attention. The ending will not work for everyone...." Read more

"...There is so much deprivation, hardship, and loss. I was dying for something good to happen to these poor people...." Read more

34 customers mention "Pacing"12 positive22 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it slow and haunting, giving them time for reflection. Others feel the beginning is slow and boring, with the story dragging at times.

"...I found it pointless and slow going for a long time, not having a special interest in the settling of the American West and finding the narrator..." Read more

"...bizarre (the "modern" narrator is a character), and it is memorable, haunting, and beautifully written...." Read more

"...He won the Pulitzer Prized for this book. Takes a while to get thorough it, and a little while to get adjusted to the person telling the story,..." Read more

"...She is distasteful, snobbish, selfish and hypocritical. A more unpleasant subject and heroine is difficult to imagine...." Read more

Not a good Kindle edition
4 out of 5 stars
Not a good Kindle edition
Excellent book, but the Kindle version was poorly scanned, e.g. the word corner often comes through as comer; some of the many mistakes stop your reading as you have to interpret the word or missing punctuation. Someone should have done a simple proofread. Not ok.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Private
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Novels Ever Written
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Several years ago I set out to read the 100 best novels ever written. Using a series of lists available on the internet I have now woven my way through 102 great novels. The "Angle of Repose" was on most of these lists and in my opinion it should be on all of them. Before I begin my review, let me state my bias. There is a huge difference between a book and a novel. A book is (generally) a fast paced and entertaining story. It may deal with geopolitics, romance, horror, murder, or any other topic you can think of. It's primary purpose, though, is to entertain. A novel on the other hand is written with a purpose beyond story telling. It exists to reveal something about the world, the heart, or the human condition. A truly great novel takes this a step further and allows the reader's heart to experience vicariously the heart condition or lesson it is written to convey. In short, it opens the window on the human soul and allows the reader to see in.

    In this sense, "Angle of Repose" is truly a great novel. It is not a great book in the sense that the reader will rapidly turn the page to find out what happens next. It is not intended to dazzle the reader and carry them rapidly from one entertaining experience to the next. Instead, it seeks to immerse the reader in small slices of the characters routine existence until the reader fully grasps the nature of the characters and the challenges they face. Using a style that is unique the author poses as an author reconstructing his grandmother's life from her collected letters and articles. Thus, both the author and the reader know that her fate is already set even though as the protagonist, she does not know it. This gives the entire book a kind of sad and nostalgic feel as she lives out a predetermined existence that she is not privy to. It is like someone reflecting back over their life even before they have lived it. It is a very powerful literary effect. I often found myself wanting to cry as I turned the pages because I could see where things were heading even when the characters could not. I wanted things to be different than they were, but knew they would not, could not be.

    This is not only one of the finest historical novels ever written concerning real life in the old west, it is also one of the most soul stirring books I have ever picked up. It deals with some of the deepest issues faced by frail humanity including hardship, failure, unforgiveness, and the fragile nature of the human soul. If you want an entertaining page turning story, this is probably not the book for you. If you want a glimpse into the human soul, this is it. One of the finest novels I have read, and I've read some good ones.
    427 people found this helpful
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  • Francis O Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Viewpoints
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Karl Kraus wrote: “Grasping the world with a glance is art. Amazing how much fits into an eye.” I believe he would have appreciated this fascinating, nuanced work, which can be mined for many levels of insight. At one level, it sketches a prose picture of western landscapes and its people; at another, it provides a cross sectional look at landforms and the human perceptions, at another level it depicts a timeline of history, both personal and public, showing how it unpredictably folds back on itself; and, finally, it asks to what extent to which humankind is able to escape the forces of social pressure, history, genetics and personal bias. This panoramic novel will appeal to anyone with an appreciation for fine writing and interest in the human condition.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Oldgate
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not a good Kindle edition
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book, but the Kindle version was poorly scanned, e.g. the word corner often comes through as comer; some of the many mistakes stop your reading as you have to interpret the word or missing punctuation. Someone should have done a simple proofread. Not ok.
    Customer image
    Oldgate
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Not a good Kindle edition

    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2025
    Excellent book, but the Kindle version was poorly scanned, e.g. the word corner often comes through as comer; some of the many mistakes stop your reading as you have to interpret the word or missing punctuation. Someone should have done a simple proofread. Not ok.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
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  • Buffaloafer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A haunting portrait of the west
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a geologist, and have heard of Stegner's writing for years. I assumed that his writing was more geological in nature (I mean, seriously, angle of repose! I thought it was about talus slopes!), and then I read this novel. Parts of it are bizarre (the "modern" narrator is a character), and it is memorable, haunting, and beautifully written. I completed it several years ago and still think about the last few lines. This novel will stick with you.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Eric P. Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic cross-cultural examination
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book, and I think it needs to be approached as a serious piece of literature. Reviewers complaining of it being too slow should go back to their John Grisham novels.

    Not to repeat what other reviewers have already said, but after rereading sections of this book, one thing I think Stegner was trying to accomplish was an examination of the mores of relationships and marriage from three very distinct generations: That of the narrator's grandmother from the 1800s, that of the narrator himself from the early 1900s, to that of the current generation, the 1960s. I've always been a liberal and very sympathetic to the counter-culture, but I think Stegner does a good job of pointing out some of the short-comings of the, then current, movement. He is really performing an analysis of the value of traditions like marriage and family and other underpinnings of society that he sees lacking in the counter-culture.

    Beyond this, I would say that it's a beautifully written and engaging story. What I really loved about it when I first read it was the development of the characters and how much I really wanted to see their marriage succeed. I never read a novel that I so fell in love with the characters and felt such sadness when they failed. I felt completely tied to the characters and their lives. I think that is the beauty of such a sweeping narrative, that it gives space for the characters to come to life and breath.

    I think "Angle of Repose" is a brillant book and has much to say about the nature of life, our struggles and striving to achieve, if not happiness, then that place of comfort, that angle of repose.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Aakash
    1.0 out of 5 stars Poor copy
    Reviewed in India on November 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Old beaten up copy with flimsy pages. Doesn't appear like a genuine product at all. This has been happening repeatedly in my engagement with Amazon
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    Aakash
    1.0 out of 5 stars
    Poor copy

    Reviewed in India on November 19, 2020
    Old beaten up copy with flimsy pages. Doesn't appear like a genuine product at all. This has been happening repeatedly in my engagement with Amazon
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  • M. Louise Leonard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 16, 2016
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    wonderful writer
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  • Tim Hoyle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic read, I bought the book to read on a road trip to the American west. Interesting comparisons between 1970's and late 19th century morality and the reckless ambition of the American West with the civilized established East Coast.
    Still haven't checked out how closely the book follows Mary Foote's correspondence, but what a great idea using authentic sources as a basis for an historical novel, ensuring the reader gets a true feel for the times.
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  • HD
    5.0 out of 5 stars And what a great title.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Superb. So well written - makes you feel you are right there. And what a great title.
    Report
  • JPSreviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quality crafting / research but unconvincing female Victorian voicing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The American dream failed for this Victorian couple - the engineer Oliver Ward and his illustrator wife Susan - achieved no capital advantage / leverage for their Labour. Stegner set up Susan to fail; she has an entrenched school friendship with Augusta a New York society hostess. How can Susan report in her letters saying she enjoyed a morning with Ms A a Cornish wife or Mrs B an Irish labourers wife? She can’t, it would not impress Augusta. Susan’s attachment to Augusta and the resulting character flaw only yields by page 519 after her marriage to Oliver is compromised. Forgiveness an essential theme refer 2 below. .
    Is it a good read? It’s a quality crafted approach but his message melding the struggles of two couples lacked authenticity for me in the female voicing, and humour was sparse. The author parades his knowledge, but I love Stegner’s landscape prose. A 3 star read became 4 stars since the Pulitzer winning text is a must read for students and rightly so, a multitude of essay topics rise:
    1. The rich vein of American lying and cheating was mined by Mark Twain in Huckleberry Finn, how does it manifest itself at Leadville and Boise, how did the Wards an educated couple succumb?
    2. Stegner uses the symbolism of the rose garden to unite the problems of two couples; the Ward’s invalid grandson Lyman Ward and his wife Ellen, and Susan and Oliver; the shared theme of forgiveness essential to comprehend the message in this novel is uncovered - discuss.
    3. Separate the letters to Augusta into Stegner embellished letters from the Mary Hallock Foote historical archive and those letters 100% not attributable to the MHF archive e.g., the Michocan submission. Discuss the merits of using that archive in Stegner’s scheme and the disadvantages.
    4. How does the absence of authentic ‘salon’ dialogue harm this novel? Compose your own dialogue between Susan, Augusta and a real NY socialite in 1878 Clara Jerome (later Mrs Moreton Frewen). Test your dialogue with that expressed in the log cabin ‘salon’ in Leadville. Stegner’s dialogue delivers the opportunity / claims abuse message but Susan’s contribution fails to impress or charm as authentic.
    5. Susan Ward dismisses the Cornish yet their mining tradition of shared partnerships from their homeland would eventually flourish in San Jose - the future Silicon Valkey. Stegner smudges the Chinese, berates the Irish, puts down the Cornish, and English capital why is this stance prevalent among American authors? It was Annie Proulx who first condemned Moreton Frewen ( Winston Churchill’s uncle) in Wyoming. Frewen in his life would meet 8 presidents of the USA some during operations at his Powder River Cattle Company while pouring millions of capital into the USA.
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