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183rd out of 255 books
—
367 voters
The Fires of Spring
"A warm-hearted, readable story, crammed with lively incident and remarkable characters."
THE ATLANTIC
David Harper was an orphan, loney and impoverished. But his longing to embrace the world that abandoned him was stronger than the harsh realities. And even though he's a con man and petty thief at a carnival, he still dreams. For it was there that David learned about love a...more
THE ATLANTIC
David Harper was an orphan, loney and impoverished. But his longing to embrace the world that abandoned him was stronger than the harsh realities. And even though he's a con man and petty thief at a carnival, he still dreams. For it was there that David learned about love a...more
Mass Market Paperback, 480 pages
Published
March 12th 1982
by Fawcett
(first published 1949)
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This book is the rambling, somewhat melodramatic rags to riches tale of a young man who grows up in a poorhouse and eventually becomes a professional writer. Along the way he finds somewhat dubious work in an amusement park, is anonymously sponsored with a scholarship to go to college and then wanders the country with a group of traveling actors before finally settling down in NYC editing pulp magazines. There are a lot of characters of ill repute who appear along the way, and the protagonist, D...more
Published in 1949, this was Michener's second book and first novel (
Tales of the South Pacific
was actually a collection of connected stories, and was the first winner of the "Pulitzer Prize For Fiction," which until then had been known as the "Pulitzer Prize For the Novel") and is largely autobiographical.
A 'bildungsroman' is defined as "a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist" and "a novel concerned with a person's formative years" - The...more
A 'bildungsroman' is defined as "a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist" and "a novel concerned with a person's formative years" - The...more
When I saw this had been chosen as this month's selection for my book club I wasn't happy. Published in 1948, this is a highly fictionalized autobiography/novel published in 1948. I shall eat humble pie, because, in spite of my reluctance, I very much enjoyed it. Michener tells a good story, and this is no exception.
I did find the writing dated, but then, it's as old as I am, and the novel itself takes places in the earlier part of the 20th century. It is the story of a orphan boy growing up in...more
I did find the writing dated, but then, it's as old as I am, and the novel itself takes places in the earlier part of the 20th century. It is the story of a orphan boy growing up in...more
Read this on a friend's recommendation, though I was admittedly put off by the age of the book. I think as a narrative, it holds up extremely well over time. I didn't dwell too much on the qualities of style, characterization, etc. Because it seemed beside the point. It's pretty typical Michener: historical fiction rooted in an American setting, although in much less of a "hit you over the head" way than his many other geographically named works. I think this was only his second novel, so I gues...more
Probably my favorite Michener novel yet (I've read about 5, I think). This is the ambling, sometimes rambling, story of a young man's experience growing up in the midst of the development of the notion of Americana (I can't think of a better way to put it--it's not the typical American experience, necessarily, but as he dabbles in vaudeville and running a con game at a ticket booth on a boardwalk and editing and publishing pulp trash, I think Americana is a safe way of putting it). It's about hi...more
This book started as a 5 star book, then became 4 stars, then 3 stars, then 2 stars, then 1 star. Throughout the book, the writer's talent was amazing. Initially I thought this book was nobel-prize worthy, but then it just got worse and worse and worse and worse! The talent was still there, the book just became unpleasant to read. I think it should be split into 4 novellas and that noone should read past the 2nd novella, or that everything past the 2nd one (everything after Dedham) needs to have...more
This is early Michener -- a coming-of-age novel about a boy growing up in the Midwest during the Depression. My father often told me that it was the closest description he ever read of what life was like during that time. Dad's early childhood was in Oconto, Wisconsin. It's been on my to-read list for a long time, and now, even though I can't discuss it with him, I'll read it with him in my heart.
I'm nearly finished. I'm enjoying the story, but don't really see what Dad must have seen. The book...more
I'm nearly finished. I'm enjoying the story, but don't really see what Dad must have seen. The book...more
His first novel I believe. Not a historical novel in the sense of what he later became famous for, but seemed like it was autobiographical. It's been a while since I read it, but I know I liked it a lot.
I enjoyed it. Early Michener, filled with his usual philosophical observations and anticipatory exclamations. It was before he wrote the research-oriented books, and I'm sure it's semi-autobiographical. In any event, he is so good at describing where he is that it does give the reader a great sense of life in the U.S. circa 1920-1934.
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One of my favorite books. Have read, and re-read many times. Michener draws me in without fanfare or drama.
Nov 28, 2008
lita
marked it as to-read
boleh nemu di toko buku gerak gerik. ternyata banyak buku antik yang gua cari lho!
One of Michener's early novels, and for all it's flaws it's really astonishingly good. You don't really find stories like this any more.
It's the story of a young man who grows up essentially an orphan, not too long after the turn of (19th) century. You could call it a coming-of-age novel, and it is, but that doesn't really begin to capture the energy and vitality of the characters.
As well as a good read, it's a pretty insightful portrait of an America that no longer exists. And that is probably...more
It's the story of a young man who grows up essentially an orphan, not too long after the turn of (19th) century. You could call it a coming-of-age novel, and it is, but that doesn't really begin to capture the energy and vitality of the characters.
As well as a good read, it's a pretty insightful portrait of an America that no longer exists. And that is probably...more
"A warm-hearted, readable story, crammed with lively incident and remarkable characters."
THE ATLANTIC
David Harper was an orphan, loney and impoverished. But his longing to embrace the world that abandoned him was stronger than the harsh realities. And even though he's a con man and petty thief at a carnival, he still dreams. For it was there that David learned about love and about women�all of whom taught him the riches of himself.
Here is a rich segment of American life�a magic blend of longing...more
THE ATLANTIC
David Harper was an orphan, loney and impoverished. But his longing to embrace the world that abandoned him was stronger than the harsh realities. And even though he's a con man and petty thief at a carnival, he still dreams. For it was there that David learned about love and about women�all of whom taught him the riches of himself.
Here is a rich segment of American life�a magic blend of longing...more
Early Michener, semi-autobiographical, and a great read.
Top three I've ever read
Michener so good.
I've read most of Michener but somehow didn't run across this. Initially, I had difficulty getting past the temporal references and general antiquated wording, but once you commit (as it appears impossible not to), the journey is very worthwhile. Expectations are continually ... deferred, and once you understand that you cannot micromanage reading Michener, his pace of development of character, plot, and style take over. Must read. Give to all your young friends and relatives.
This is an autobiographical novel... Michener grew up in Bucks County and worked at Willow Grove Park back in the early days!
I love Michener. Whether it's something he wrote in the '60s or in the '90s, he always engages me with his storytelling abilities.
The first Michener novel I ever read - over 30 years since I picked up my sister's paperback copy. Found a hardback edition online. An opportunity to relive this great coming-of-age story, which hooked me into Dostoevsky and several other classic authors whose works are discussed and quoted in the book. A big influence on my life at the time.
Michener's second book. Thus far it's been about an orphaned boy who grows up in a poorhouse under the tutelage of some wise poor-men, a couple good teachers, and a basketball coach... A feel-good coming of age story thus far, I'm looking forward to seeing where Michner takes it...
In my list of top ten books. I read it as a youth and it moulded my life and gave me understand myself better - because in many ways I am like Harper.I reread it recently and I still felt it's beautiful sting.
I read this book in High School and then again a few years ago. I really enjoyed it, both times. It was actually one of the only books I fully read in High School.
Only Michener book I truly adored. I really liked seeing the world through the eyes of the protagonist. I recommend this one.
A narrative of the lead up to the depression, and one man's journey through the back-alleys of that time. Good character study.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoy Michener's detailed descriptions of eras, places and social norms.
James Michener's first book, supposedly semi-bilographical. One of my all time favorites.
I loved this Book! One of the Best ever.
May 18, 2013
Audrey
marked it as to-read
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James Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel,
Tales of the South Pacific
, which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for th...more
More about James A. Michener...
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for th...more
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