The Glass Roses
The Glass Roses
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Super Short Summary
In "The Glass Roses" by Alden Nowlan, a young person named Stephen works in a harsh environment alongside his father and other laborers. Stephen grapples with personal identity and external expectations, influenced by his friendship with a fellow worker who shares tales of a different world, encouraging self-discovery amidst rigid traditional views.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
54 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Glass Roses by Alden Nowlan is praised for its evocative portrayal of a young boy's internal struggle between tradition and individuality. Readers appreciate the rich, poetic language and the depth of character development. Some critiques mention the story's slow pace, which might not engage all readers. Overall, it is a thoughtful exploration of identity and coming-of-age.
Who Should Read The Glass Roses?
A reader who appreciates The Glass Roses by Alden Nowlan might enjoy introspective, character-driven narratives about coming-of-age and personal conflict. Fans of John Knowles's A Separate Peace or Ernest Hemingway’s concise, emotionally rich style would likely find resonance in Nowlan’s exploration of human fragility and relationships.
54 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alden Nowlan, the author of The Glass Roses, was a Canadian poet, novelist, and playwright known for his vivid portrayals of rural life in the Maritimes.
The Glass Roses is celebrated for its exploration of masculinity and the complexities of father-son relationships, themes that are common in Nowlan's body of work.
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The short story is set in a Canadian logging camp, drawing from Nowlan's own experiences growing up in rural Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
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