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A review by roseleaf24
The Town by Conrad Richter
3.0
The Pulitzer was awarded to this book, the third and final book in a series, in recognition of the entire "Awakening Land" trilogy. I can appreciate that, but in posterity, it's unfortunate. I'm sure I'm not the only one who just reads this book, and, while aspects of the others interest me, I didn't like this one enough to track down the first two at this point. Maybe someday, though.
The trilogy focuses on Sayward Wheeler, who is a middle-aged woman at the beginning of this book, which follows her to her death. The point of view varies between her and her son Chance, who begins the book as a sickly four-year-old and ends it a whiny man. I really didn't like Chance and didn't have a great opinion of the author's use of Chancey's laziness to wax on about the pioneer spirit and the value of hard work. I did appreciate the contrast this provides to Sayward's strength of character. I also found the time period interesting, between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, when Ohio was the frontier. The author also does an excellent job of showing how a parent's sins affect future generations. I enjoyed following this family and this town.
The trilogy focuses on Sayward Wheeler, who is a middle-aged woman at the beginning of this book, which follows her to her death. The point of view varies between her and her son Chance, who begins the book as a sickly four-year-old and ends it a whiny man. I really didn't like Chance and didn't have a great opinion of the author's use of Chancey's laziness to wax on about the pioneer spirit and the value of hard work. I did appreciate the contrast this provides to Sayward's strength of character. I also found the time period interesting, between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, when Ohio was the frontier. The author also does an excellent job of showing how a parent's sins affect future generations. I enjoyed following this family and this town.