The Spectator Bird

By: Wallace Stegner

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Joe Allston is a retired literary agent who is, in his own words, "killing time before time gets around to killing me." His parents and his only son are long dead, leaving him with neither ancestors nor descendants, tradition nor ties. His job, trafficking the talent of others, had not been his choice. He passes through life as a spectator. But a postcard from a friend causes him to return to the journals of a trip he had taken years before. The memories of that trip to his mother's birthplace move through layers of time and meaning, and reveal that Joe Allston isn't quite spectator enough.

©1976 Wallace Stegner (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• National Book Award Winner, 1976

"Elegant and entertaining. . . .Every scene is adroitly staged and each effect precisely accomplished." ( The Atlantic)

Excellent saga of aging and the meaning of life

To begin with, the narration was superb. And, if that isn't enough the characters are so well developed and real that you feel you know them. And finally, as an elderly reader the subjects dealt with in this tale of aging and introspection wete very rellevant and their conclusions satisfying to me.

Soulful, spirited, funny, transforming

What a generous surprise. Such detailed descriptions. Marvelous writing. Creative structure and devices. Fabulous reading too; Herrman's voice becomes Stegner's. I am grateful.

Captivated

A chance encounter with Wallace Stegner here on Audible has me now captivated with this author and his storytelling!
“The Spectator Bird” has touched my heart in a special way as I consider my forty one years of marriage to my husband and the committed love we have shared.
Mr. Stegner captures beautifully the human emotions and some of the questions and challenges that a long-term relationship might possibly encounter, very unexpectedly.
I found much beauty in the human struggle and ultimate commitment he brings to light.
The search for deeper understanding about the main character’s mother and his familial heritage sets the stage for an intriguing journey.
The story is very engaging, bolstered by the beautiful narration.
This is a special story in many ways and one that will not easily be forgotten. I’m adding this one to my list of “Favorites”❣️

Life/Relationships/Aging

A sweet story of a couple, and their journey . They reflect their past, their pain and their profound love.

Great book!

I thoroughly enjoyed it this book, it has such great depth and feeling and took me to places I didn’t know existed.

Lovely story, perfect narrator

We don’t often get honest stories of those entering their twilight years with all of the small daily details. Stegner is a master of capturing those as backdrop to the larger themes of a life remembered. Gorgeous.

Wonderful dramatization

The reader is marvelous. He shifts from male to female, American to Danish accented English, with the occasional Danish language effortlessly and with a unique characterization. Bravo.

what a voice

I enjoyed the telling of the book very much as I knew I would. I was familiar with Edward Hermann as an actor and so I knew he had a great voice. I don't know why it was in my library but listened for the soothing sound and was treated to a story with a wide variety of interesting happenings to which I could relate. I only had to pause once for a short time so basically heard it all the way through. Laughing, crying and deep thinking my way through it was a real joy since I am also at that age of depression yet acceptance of what's to come. I would recommend it to anyone.

It’s my life Stegner writes about

Great read for someone like myself, now 82. Stegner’s protagonist is younger: nevertheless he is experiencing the relentless aging process and struggles to adjust. Who doesn’t?
A favorite line spoken by a friend of our literary agent: One I’ll never forget:”I don’t feel like an old man. I feel like a young man with something wrong with him.” So true!

Relatable

I’ve had friends who begin thinking about death, the rapidly approaching time of death, along with the endless pondering about how they will end up. This story was wistful and somehow dignified as we followed this couple in their own pondering of the end.
It was sad but in an informative way. I can honestly say I enjoyed this quick read. I would recommend it to certain friends.