30 pages • 1 hour read
Norman MacleanA River Runs Through It
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1976A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A River Runs through It is a semi-autobiographical novella by Norman Maclean, set primarily in the summer of 1937, depicting the lives of Norman and his younger brother Paul, the sons of a Scottish Presbyterian minister in Montana. The story interweaves family history, fly fishing, and philosophy, culminating in a tragic loss while exploring themes of love, connection, and the natural world's healing power. The novella involves situations related to alcoholism, gambling, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It is lauded for its lyrical prose and profound exploration of family and nature. Critics praise its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, though some find its pacing slow. The autobiographical novella's introspective narrative offers a poignant reflection on life’s complexities, appealing to readers who appreciate meditative literature.
Who Should Read A River Runs Through It?
A reader who would enjoy A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean likely appreciates lyrical prose and themes of nature, family, and introspection. Fans of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea or Thoreau's Walden will find similar meditative qualities and a deep connection to the natural world.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1160LBook Details
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Historical Fiction
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Siblings
Science / Nature