Justin's Notes
Aug. 25, 2025
Legends of the Fall is a collection of short stories/novellas, the title one being the basis of the 1994 film of the same name, which I have yet to see. To me, they all felt quite a bit different, so I will give a few thoughts on each individually. Overall, Harrison has some really great writing, effortlessly telling these stories and creating tension and conflict. These stories are not happy, each one quite dark in its own way.
Revenge
Revenge follows a pilot named Cochran, who is seeking to find the love of his life and willing to do anything to find her. This story has some pretty intense and dark scenes, so be warned. The characters were crafted incredibly well, and the pacing made the story instantly gripping. Filled with themes showing the darker side of humanity, such as betrayal and revenge, Harrison tells a tale that leaves no real redemption available.
The Man Who Gave Up His Name
This novella follows a man named Nordstrom, a wealthy businessman attempting to find meaning in his life post-divorce. This story dealt a lot more with seeking fulfillment and what it means to find a sense of meaning in your life. I thought Nordstrom's development as he processed and dealt with the pieces of his life falling apart felt relatable. Not in his actions or solutions, but just in the sense that we as humans have to find stable meaning in our lives, especially since we cannot guarantee anything in them.
Just a small piece of personal reflection that came from this story. I am incredibly grateful that I have found meaning in my life through my faith. While I still find myself seeking meaning through worldly things at times, like work, hobbies, family & friends, I know that my true fulfillment comes through Christ.
Legends of the Fall
This story follows three brothers, their family, and the incredible amount of hardships and difficulties they go through. Primarily following the middle brother, Tristan, you see a family facing the consequences of war and loss, the impact of familial feuds, and, similar to the other novellas, the difficulty of finding oneself when your life does not make sense. I am always interested in stories that take place in the first half of the 20th century; it truly is a completely different world. Again, like the previous two, the writing is so good in this story, but is quite dark and sad in tone.
These stories in their own ways are very good. They are just dark. With the limited amount of literature I have read, the heaviness of these stories reminded me of Cormac McCarthy. In my opinion, if you don't like Cormac or don't like darker themes in general, you may not enjoy this book. If the above doesn't include you, I think you could really enjoy these stories. Harrison is a master storyteller, and I plan to read more of his works.
