Introduction by Terry Tempest Williams Afterword by T. H. Watkins Called a “magnificently crafted story . . . brimming with wisdom” by Howard Frank Mosher in The Washington Post Book World, Crossing to Safety has, since its publication in 1987, established itself as one of the greatest and most cherished American novels of the twentieth century. Tracing the lives, loves, and aspirations of … lives, loves, and aspirations of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, it is a work of quiet majesty, deep compassion, and powerful insight into the alchemy of friendship and marriage.
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This is one of my favorite books.
It’s not fast-paced, but if you’re ready to settle in to some gorgeous imagery and philosophical thinking about relationships and what’s important in life, this is the book for you. Stegner is a master of setting, and makes you feel the sense of place like few are able to do.
“And so, by circuitous and unpredictable routes, we converge toward midcontinent and meet in Madison, and are at once drawn together, braided and plaited into a friendship. It is a relationship that has no formal shape, there are no rules or obligations or bonds as in marriage or the family, it is held together by neither law nor property nor blood, there is no glue in it but mutual liking. It is therefore rare.”
Wallace Stegner gives the clearest definition of friendship I have ever seen written. This definition comes from Larry Morgan, protagonist of Crossing to Safety, the author’s last published novel. I read Stegner’s excellent The Spectator Bird last year and knew Crossing to Safety would be the next one in his oeuvre to read.
Crossing to Safety tells the story of two couples, the Morgans (Larry & Sally) and the Langs (Sid & Charity) who meet in Madison, Wisconsin, at the beginning of their academic careers during the Great Depression. The novel chronicles their lifelong friendships and marriages. Stegner does a wonderful job of creating four fully fleshed out characters and how the dynamic amongst each other changes over the years.
Larry is the writer of the group and has a sense of independence that I could relate to. Also, he is a devoted husband to Sally, as she suffers a disease that will alter the course of her life. Sid is the professor that comes from family wealth and feels he has not had a fulfilling life and his wife, Charity, is a determined, strong-willed woman that bends life to her wishes. Stegner provides an excellent landscape to make this reader ponder about friendship and marriage.
Crossing to Safety is a quiet novel. There are no affairs or betrayals of friendships to create the story’s conflict. Stegner shows how a stable friendships and marriages can actually make interesting fiction. I could imagine if John Updike or John Irving had attempted to write this novel, it would have affairs between the couples and scandalous behavior they could have destroyed a career, marriage, or friendship. Stegner chooses a different route, and this reader is delighted with that choice.
It is refreshing to read a novel about the interworkings of human behavior in a genteel fashion. You don’t always need to go over-the-top to make a point about life. A stable and consistent approach can provide enough drama without having to become melodramatic.
Crossing to Safety will be one of my favorite reads of 2021 and I’m looking forward to reading more Wallace Stegner’s work. After reading The Spectator Bird and now this one, he is an astute observer of human nature and excellent writer of characters.
Beautifully written.
Beautifully written, realistic and interesting characters, nostalgic.
Terrific writing about our time between the Depression and WW2.
Delightful story telling: a vast and deep story with compelling personalities and heart stopping twists. Whether he’s describing the intricacies of the natural environment or of human nature, clarity and intelligence shine through.
Characterization that will make you weep. Exquisite, memorable writing.
Autobiographical fiction at its best. Wallace Stegner relays through brilliant, simple, and subtle details the dynamic relationship between two very different couples and their life-long friendship.
Crossing to Safety is a character study of loyalty, love, fear, envy, and the bonds of friendship. The story poses a universally human question of whether to follow one’s dreams. What does it mean to feel secure? By sacrificing one’s dreams, seemingly bending to a partner’s will, are we consciously or unconsciously comforted by conforming, avoiding the risk of failure that may come by following one’s bliss. How much safety is required to keep us from feeling untethered? Relationships and friendships change us, teach us about ourselves, and ultimately make us stronger. How does one measure success at the end of one’s life? This remarkable story leaves the reader with many questions about life to ponder.
5 stars
My favorite book of all time.Stegner creates a believable world in which two couples share a life. It’s pure magic.