Crossing to Safety (Penguin Modern Classics)

I looked forward to reading each time I thought of this book. The author's descriptions just captured me and I'm not really sure why. I think some of his characters experiences were similar to mine since part of this book takes place in Madison but it was more than that. Wonderful writing, I really loved it!

I first read this book at least twenty years ago, lent it to someone and it never returned. Recently reading a review of The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe, I found Crossing To Safety listed as one of the significant books discussed. This prompted me to order a copy and so to re-read it. I am not disappointed! The literary style is a pleasure in itself and the depiction of the human condition in the absorbing story of two couples and the ways their lives unfolded leaves the reader thinking seriously and wanting to discuss it further with friends. I shall risk lending this new copy.

This book is a beautifully written account of the depths of friendship and marriage. This is a quiet book that is very introspective and intimate in tone. If you liked this work, I recommend reading Stegner's Angle of Repose. It is another gem as well.

This is such a wonderful book. I am embarrassed that this is my first Stegner book. But, it will certainly not be my last.

I read nonfiction usually, but this book has made me realise that fiction is really worth so much.

Anne Peterson
Marinette, WI

This book was a refreshing glimpse into the life of two couples - four dear friends. I enjoyed the writing style, which I consider very descriptive. I could easily imagine the settings and feelings because of the way Stegner layed it all out. I loved that all of the characters had these truely human faults, but that they all remained friends inspite of them. They demonstrated how to focus on the beauty and positve aspects of each other and accept that we all have good and bad in our personalities. I highly recommend it. It will go on my "Favorites" list.

On the downhill side of life, it spoke volumes to me about myself and about life around me. I felt I had carried facets of each strong character within my own self and this book made me aware of that in a way that I couldn't 'take sides'. I loved this author's way of writing and when I learned it wasn't even his most acclaimed book, I ordered "Angle of Repose' before I'd finished 'Crossing To Safety"

This is quiet careful, richly written novel about two couples and a friendship that lasts over decades in the middle of the 20th century.
It is beautifully descriptive of place, personality, thought and feeling.
No doubt one of the best novels I have ever read, including Angle of Repose.

Stegner's descriptions of his characters and settings are so vivid that you can almost smell the scent of the trees and grass that envelope his stories. It's a pity that the book ends before you have had time to say your goodbyes. I only wish he were still around so we could breath in more of Stegner's rarified air.

Stegner is an amazing writer. His description of place is vivid, but it is his deep understanding of life that speaks the loudest. This is a book about marriage and friendship, and how we become who we are.

Wallace Stegner is an engaging writer, gently weaving storylines through the academic beaucracy of universitity to the gentle story of the professor's wives. Two couples from different social and economic backgrounds meet and are forever linked through friendship and their growing families. Compassion, trust and devotion for each other as life changes and turns. A love story of friendship.

This is Wallace Stegner's best book. Very well written and introspective. He knows the human psyche very well
and is able to put it into words. Two couples meet and their lives meld together by a series of circumstances.
I like the way Wallace wrote in a man's voice but was able to capture the feelings of the two woman protagonists
as well as the men. I highly recommend this book.

Young friendships are so full of possibility. Those that endure our lifetimes are so full of forgiveness and have been charged by the courage that love demands. I am glad that this novel has come to me at a stage in life that allows for reflection.

This book came highly recommended but unfortunately I found it to be a bit silly and idealised. I did finish it but I found the ending to be contrived and in keeping with the rest of the novel. The writer kept warning us this was to be a novel without a contrived plot, about real life and friendships with no villains. This is a postmodern impulse in a writer, declaring the constructedness of the text, not pretending there is no-one manipulating the story.

I have a lot of time for this aspect of contemporary writing but in the case of this novel I found the friendships were saccharine and unconvincing and that the relationships just didn't drive the novel in a way I could stomach. The narrator was far far too good to be true and really, the other characters were too.

I prefer the way the script writer of the film Silver Linings Playbook declared constructedness. He made his character, Pat, demand of the world that there be some happy endings and then provided one. I found that witty. The characters in Silver Linings were gritty. The four friends in the novel were laminated.

Horrid.

I loved this book - beautiful writing, believable characters, interesting themes. The relationships are subtle and complex - just like real ones. The characters grow old in the story, just as I and my friends have, but it is a book for all generations in adulthood. My daughters loved it too.

This story is so well written I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a book by a gifted writer. I hated to put it down as I was so wrapped up with the characters and the way they interacted with one another. Only sleep interfered with my ability to postpone reading more each night.

Great book about couples' friendship and the passing of time. Accepting each other without judgment, two married couples move in and out of each other's lives with genuine caring and compassion, despite outside conflicts.

This book is a classic dealing with the universal themes of friendship and the meaning of life, and the writing is beautiful. It will be a permanent part of my book collection and I highly recommend it for all.

Wallace Stegner was a top tier writer. Brilliant is probably not too strong a word. I am retired and read at least a book a week. The last six books that I have read have been by Wallace Stegner, and I plan to keep going. I am glad that someone referred me to his work. I would give most five stars.

An interesting story focusing on 2 young graduate marital couples relationships beginning in the depression thru the 70's. Character flaws/disabilities and the impact on spouses' handling are the main theme.

Wonderful, poignant, lyrical survey of the life journey of two couples. Many profound passages that illuminate the human condition. Not a book i would typically gravitate too, but I'm glad it crossed my path.

Wallace Stegner is one of the least heralded 20th century American authors in my estimation. A recommendation years ago finally got me to him. Crossing to Safety is the life story of two couples who became and remained great friends. We follow these four people through the end of the Great Depression when they are united at a university. They fall in love with each other in the way that only idealists in their 20's can. The rest is a story of characters, events, and life, and it's quite a simple tale. However, Wallace Stegner's writing is so rich and special that a simple story becomes a great tale. I am a very picky and highly critical reader. But, please do not miss reading Wallace Stegner in your lifetime! His Pulitzer Prize winning novel Angle of Repose is next on my list.

Stegner beautifully tells the story of 4 friends and how their relationships to one another changed the course of their lives.
The character studies, the use of language, the observations and opinions presented by the story teller all come together in this work in a way that kept me thinking about this book long after having finished it.

Wallace Stegner despite having received a Pulitzer Prize is one of America's neglected writers. However, he is one of tremendous talent. His use of language, metaphor and descriptive ability is without peer. Crossing to Safety also reaffirms his insightfulness into human frailty and character development. He is a keen student of our human nature and his talents are on display to their fullest in this work

Our book club of 8 discussed "Crossing" last night. We unanimously felt that it was one of the best books read in a long time. It is literate, erudite, interesting, and has so many levels you could discuss it for weeks. The use of language, and of time itself is astounding.

I usually read Pulitzer Prize winners. I somehow had not gotten to this book. This is even better than his award winning book, Angle of Recluse. I have recommended this novel to all of my friends. I think if you are over 65 this is required reading. Do not miss this very touching book.

I read my local library's hardback version of this book for my book club and loved it so much I wanted to buy it. I love Stegner's writing - and am reading Angle of Repose next - may buy it, too, if I have the same reaction.