Customer Reviews

Beyond the Bedroom Wall (Graywolf Rediscovery)

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I believe I first read Larry Woiwode's short stories about the Neumiller family in The New Yorker and Harper's before they were woven together into this richly emotional novel about a family of young children whose mother becomes ill and dies. Although there is a whole range of deeply felt emotions in the book, it is often the heartbreak of everyday life that permeates the work. Meawhile, there is a near-Proustian depth of detail in the account of lives lived in small midwestern towns, first in North Dakota and then Illinois.

Woiwode also captures the dynamics of family life, particularly in the close relationship between the narrator and his slightly older brother (a relationship celebrated, explored, and lamented in a sequel novel, "Born Brothers"). It's been years since I read "Beyond the Bedroom Wall," but there are moments in it almost seared into memory like film images. That is partly due to Woiwode's poetic gift for language that makes you want to read and savor every word on every page.

In later years, Woiwode returned to North Dakota and has lived there in a rural community in a kind of self-imposed spiritual exile. The early writings, in my opinion, are far superior to his later work. When he wrote "Beyond the Bedroom Wall," he was at the peak of his powers as a storyteller. Yes, it's a "great" American novel.

I read this book over a number of months. During that time my wife was suffering from a serious illness. Woiwode's description of Alpha's death was so true and painful to me I had to put the book away for quite some time. My wife recovered; I finished the book. There is no question that this is a powerful and beautiful novel. As good as anything written this century.

It's been years since I read this fine novel from cover to cover--but not so very long ago since my latest brief delve. It was not unlike visiting old friends or neighbors, and I was most happy to spend some time with them. Larry Woiwode brings the simple pleasures and heartbreaks of everyday life vibrantly to life in this book, a "family saga" in the very best sense. There's a real joy to watching the lives of these characters unfold, and a recognized danger in the closeness of family life--I still recall the dread with which I read when it became clear that one of the characters was facing death. Creating that depth of feeling in a reader is no mean feat, but Larry Woiwode pulls it off time after time, as adroitly as a bird landing on a twig. He is certainly one of America's most under-appreciated writers, and this is a wonderful place to begin discovering his talents. These characters and events will linger a long long time.

I have read this book three times since it was first published. I was the only person to ever take it out of the library. It is not a happy tale, but the characters were so beautifully & clearly portrayed, the discriptive language intense. The weight of the hardship upon this family I could feel...I could relate to the storyteller. I smelled the grit, heard the aches,saw the gazes into the distance. I never knew why others didn't fall in love with this book. Mr. Woiwode, where are you??? Please wirte more.

I remember when this book first came out. I had gone to school with Larry and read it immediatey. I knew many of the family (in Illinois) and was once hired (I think I was 17) to drive one of the older gentlemen from Illinois to North Dakota for a visit, therefore I know some of the places there also. Larry's father was our school Principaland was one of the major influences on my life, maybe he gave me the interest to visit all the foreign countries that I have. I have spent nearly 30 years overseas since leaving school in, 1960. I just re-read the book and many old memories came back. Thank you for this book. Our little town and school (my 1960 class might have been 40 or 45 people, I just can't remember) produced some top notch talented people within a year or two of each other, Larry and his brother Danny being typical of them.

This is truly an amazing book--how can anyone remember so clearly, or write so unflinchingly? It's a story that stretches across generations, but not in a melodramatic way--it's just about a family that does what any family does, lives life. I guess this is the Great American Novel.

For those of you who don't know, Larry Woiwode is also a poet. That explains the beauty and intensity of his prose. Larry, wherever you are, go with God! Peace to you, my brother.

The book was exactly as described by the vendor. It was shipped on the same day tht the order was received. I woud recommend thus vendor to anyone.

Dear Author, My father's name is Donald Koller, with sisters June, and Mary, brother Bob. Is my Father in this book? Is this book a "true story"? I am looking for the book of this title that is from an author from North Dakota. Please write back..I haven't purchased the book. Not until I have the information I ask for. Calientecr@aol.com P.S. I understand my father has a different character name, with the initials D.K., is this the the book?