Angle of Repose is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Wallace Stegner. It tells the story of Lyman Ward, a retired professor of history who is confined to a wheelchair and living in a small town in California. He is researching the life of his grandmother, Susan Burling Ward, a woman who lived in the late 19th century and was a pioneer in the American West.
The novel follows Lyman as he pieces together the story of his grandmother's life, from her childhood in New England to her marriage to a mining engineer and their move to the West. Through his research, Lyman discovers that his grandmother was a strong and independent woman who faced many challenges in her life. He also discovers that she was a passionate and talented artist, and that her paintings were a reflection of her inner struggles and triumphs.
The novel also explores the theme of the "angle of repose," which is the angle at which a pile of loose material will settle when left undisturbed. This angle is used as a metaphor for the way in which Lyman's life has settled into a comfortable but unfulfilling routine. He is stuck in a rut, unable to move forward or backward, and he is struggling to find meaning in his life.
The novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and of the ways in which our pasts shape our present. It is a story of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Through Lyman's journey of self-discovery, the reader is reminded of the importance of living life to the fullest and of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.