The Town (31) (Rediscovered Classics)

This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1951. THE TREES, THE FIELDS, and THE TOWN comprise a trilogy of historical fiction by Conrad Richter. The three books span the years from the late 1800s through the lifetime of the main character, Sawyer Lukett as she traveled from Pennsylvania through the Ohio Valley. All of the books are written in the dialect of the times, but I found them easy to read. I believe this series is a brilliant achievement, and will be of great interest to anyone interested in the Appalachian area.

Sary and her husband decided to move to live in a townhouse. Sary was not too happy but adjusted to her new place. Her husband was very happy with it, because it helped elevate his social status. Their children had their own plans. There were some tragedies, joy, conflict, and unresolved business with her husband's unfaithfulness. It went on and on until Sary got old. Her youngest son and she didn't exactly get on with each other. She started to miss trees and decided to plant some in her backyard. In time but too late her son started to understand her. She secretly supported him for years and loved him very much even though she didn't understand him. She died. Her story was finished.

This is the third novel in Richter's The Awakening Land trilogy. Sayward and Portius, in middle to old age, watch their children become adults against the backdrop of a small town rapidly becoming a city. It's disappointing. The settlers who managed to "tame" the forest are now displaced and long for the freedom and beauty they once enjoyed. The townspeople have become stratified into rich, poor and "trash." Much of the story is told from the viewpoint of Chancy, the Wheelers' spoilt youngest son, who comes across as whiny and pitiable even when he's in the right. In an odd way, the end of the story echoes Pearl S. Buck's novel The Good Earth: the children, or at least some of them, are not a patch on their parents; the town wasn't worth the effort it took to build. Beautifully written as it is, I didn't like this book as I did The Trees and The Fields.

Sayward Luckett has haunted me since I first met her in 1978, when Elizabeth Montgomery brought her to the small screen. Ever since that time she and her family have popped into my head from time-to-time. When I discovered Conrad Richter's Awakening Land trilogy was again available for purchase, I jumped on the opportunity to invite her into my home. Needless to say, I LOVE these books and like many other devotees will revisit the Luckett and Wheelers again and again. Members of my own family also pioneered into the Ohio lands at the same time the Luckett's were settling there, so, for me, these books also provide a wonderful glimpse into the lives of these special people.

I read the 3 book series and enjoyed them very much. It makes one realize how independent and self reliant our ancestors who built this country were. The book would be enjoyed by anyone who loves American history and a good story.

Great storytelling and well written whit homespun dialogue that gives one a feeling for the time. The entire series is a treasure.

I got the entire series and the print is pretty bad on all of them. I am wondering why the margins and fonts are different on each volume. One had such narrow center margins that you have to break the spine to read it. Not happy. It was a gift to my daughter.

This is the Great American Novel, the story of pioneers and their children. The love of Chancey and Rosa will break your heart, because you love them both. Even Rosa's bitter mother earns your pity and understanding. Above them all, and also beneath them all, there is Sayward, with her hatred of the darkened forest and her love of the people who shared her life.Start with The Trees and The Fields, then finish here with The Town, and see what it once meant to be strong and generous and forgiving. I have read no better American story in my life than this masterpiece by Conrad Richter.

O livro é muito bom.

The middle book of a trilogy. A very well story with graphic description of life on the early frontier