The Big Rock Candy Mountain

The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner is a reprint edition published by Penguin in 1991, featuring 563 pages in English. This novel presents the story of Bo Mason, his wife Elsa, and their two sons as they navigate a transient life marked by poverty and despair. The narrative follows their journey across various towns and states, highlighting Bo’s relentless pursuit of fortune through ventures in the hotel business, farming, and illegal rum-running in the American Northwest.

Readers will find a detailed portrayal of over thirty years in the Mason family’s life, capturing the struggles and resilience of individuals during the challenging early twentieth century. The book delves into themes of survival and the complexities of family dynamics against a backdrop of hardship. As a work of literary fiction, it offers insights into the human condition and the pursuit of dreams amidst adversity.