Peter Matthiessen praises Alec Wilkinson’s spare and clear writing style. He describes dark figures beneath a river’s load, the stillness of landscapes that seep into him, and the way light fills a scene. He also reflects on the American frontier, the growth of capitalism, and how pollution hides the night sky.
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Peter Matthiessen was a novelist from the United States, best known for North American Indians.
Quick Facts About Peter Matthiessen
Born
May 22, 1927
Died
April 5, 2014
Nationality
United States
Profession
Novelist
Notable works
North American Indians
Known for
The Snow Leopard
Spouse
Patricia Southgate
About Peter Matthiessen
He co‑founded The Paris Review, is the only writer to win the National Book Award in both nonfiction and fiction, and was a prominent environmental activist.
Awards & Honors
National Book AwardJohn Burroughs MedalWilliam Dean Howells Medal of the American Academy of Arts and LettersNational Book Award for NonfictionHeinz AwardHelmerich AwardSociety of American Historians Prize for Historical Fiction
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