Laura ’s Reviews > The Spectator Bird > Status Update

Ok - finished. Now I see. Stunning really because it's exactly what Gilbert Markham does over Helen Graham in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. He's still ignorant and stupid but - there are extenuating circumstances - a man in the throes of passion - and like Gilbert, Joe waits it out - and everything falls into place. Remarkable really - as the writers who know - there are only a very few plots - is it 6?

strabismus - means cross-eyed or having a squint.

Visit plus lunch at Ørebyslot - hilarious!
Some brilliant writing and descriptions of Grandmamá, and the ladies and then Count Eigil - a complete contrast to their decorum.

Also - making fun of Americans in Europe - search for origins - scathing observations of the old world - the nobility - again brought up short with Eigil's model farm and superb production.

" ...a monitory tone ..."
In 2 minds about Stegner - I recognise the charm - exuded by a successful white male... yet I find myself agreeing with many of his observations. He's familiar territory - and I know why.

I will reserve judgement. Also a revelation in that he is responsible for the National Parks - to preserve and protect a national heritage. Probably on my lit. and environment course back in '95 at TCNJ.

Allston fell out with his son - feels guilty because he may - he did show contempt for Curt's way of life - a La Jolla beach-bum in the 50s. As Joe says: "he didn't put the work in - just took - content to see life as all pleasure." And I can understand how that might conflict with Joe - oops Stegner's work ethic - sounds exactly like my dad, although I am most certainly not a beach-bum. I objected to 'shit-work'.

- a quisling - ? in relation to the countess's husband

"... a most steatopygous behind."

Very funny - making fun of writers - and certain types of Americans. Ruth says: "He's a famous Italian writer. Some people, including himself, have mentioned him for the Noble Prize."
Joe says: "Ms McElvenny is a San Francisco girl who will go far, and undoubtedly has."

Enjoying this. He likes his vocab - clerestory windows, shillelagh etc. I don't know if that's Stegner or his character Joe Allston? My first Wallace Stegner.