What Awards Has 'All The Little Live Things' Won?

I remember digging into 'All the Little Live Things' a while back, and while it didn't sweep the major literary awards, it earned some noteworthy recognition. The novel was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction in 1968, which is a huge deal—it put Wallace Stegner in the same conversation as literary giants. It also won the Commonwealth Club Gold Medal for Fiction, a prestigious honor for California writers. The book's blend of environmental themes and human drama resonated with critics, though it didn't get the Pulitzer or National Book Award win it deserved. Still, being a finalist in that era meant something. If you liked this, check out Stegner's 'Angle of Repose,' which did win the Pulitzer.

As someone who's spent years studying American literature, I can tell you 'All the Little Live Things' occupies a fascinating space in Stegner's career. While not his most decorated work, its awards reveal how the literary world viewed his shift toward ecological themes. The 1968 National Book Award nomination was significant—it lost to Thornton Wilder's 'The Eighth Day,' but just being shortlisted confirmed Stegner's status as a master storyteller. The Commonwealth Club Gold Medal mattered even more regionally, celebrating his California narratives.

What's interesting is how these accolades contrast with the book's legacy. Today, it's studied more for its environmental messaging than its award pedigree. The novel predated the modern climate fiction movement by decades, yet its portrayal of humanity's relationship with nature feels eerily prescient. For readers who appreciate this aspect, I'd suggest Annie Proulx's 'Barkskins'—another overlooked masterpiece that tackles similar themes with award-worthy depth.

Let's talk awards for 'All the Little Live Things'—it's the underdog of Stegner's bibliography. Snagged that Commonwealth Club Gold Medal, which might not sound flashy but is elite for West Coast literature. The National Book Award nod was its big moment, though. What's cool is how these honors reflect its dual nature: part elegy for the American West, part sharp family drama. Unlike Stegner's Pulitzer-winning books, this one's quieter but punches just as hard.

Recommendation-wise, if you dig its award-adjacent vibe, try Joan Didion's 'Play It as It Lays.' Different style, same caliber of writing that should've won more hardware. Both books have that razor-sharp observation of human nature that award committees eat up, even if they didn't fully commit with trophies.