Crossing to Safety

By: Wallace Stegner

Narrated by: Richard Poe

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the finest American authors of the 20th century, Wallace Stegner compiled an impressive collection of accolades during his lifetime, including a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, a National Book Award, and three O. Henry Awards. His final novel, Crossing to Safety is the quiet yet stirring tale of two couples that meet during the Great Depression and form a lifelong bond.

©2002 Wallace Earle Stegner (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This is a wonderfully rich, warm, and affecting book." ( Library Journal)
"It's deceptively simple: two bright young couples meet during the Depression and form an instant and lifelong friendship. "How do you make a book that anyone will read out of lives as quiet as these?" Larry Morgan, a successful novelist and the narrator of the story, poses that question many years after he and his wife, Sally, have befriended the vibrant, wealthy, and often troubled Sid and Charity Lang. "Where is the high life, the conspicuous waste, the violence, the kinky sex, the death wish?" It's not here. What is here is just as fascinating, just as compelling, as touching, and as tragic." (Amazon.com review)

Beautifully written story, but....

Would you listen to Crossing to Safety again? Why?

I don't think I would listen to it again, although it was beautifully written and narrated. I particularly disliked Charity,and she was really the dominant character in the book, as she was in the relationship between the two couples.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

For myself I would have changed the ending (although I don't want to have any spoilers here). I thought there was surprisinging cruelty shown to one of the main characters, although it actually seemd to be the culmination of the way he had been treated by his wife throughout their marriage. I wonder if others have this same reaction.

Which character – as performed by Richard Poe – was your favorite?

Definitely the narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No particular moment - just the enduring depth of the friendship between the two couples, the way they nurtured each other over the years and became each family to one another. Perhaps their reunion after several years of not seeing each other at the end was the most moving. (again, I don't want to give anything away about the ending)

Any additional comments?

It is ironic how the relationship between the two couples was mutually beneficial and nurturing, despite the flaws within each individual and particularly despite the serious flaws in the relationship of one of the couples.

The way Life should be Lived

There are no shocking sex scenes and no great excapes from the law, but the depth of friendship and marital love was well captured in Crossing to Safety.

I will not over-sell the book - while I felt good after reading it, it is not for everybody. I liked it. I want to be like the men in this book. I long for true intimacy with my wife the way both couples in the book have it. The women had the courage to face life with no fear. The book is for mature readers who want to live their lives without fear.

You can share this book with anyone with confidence.

Amazing.

Simply the best, most poignant novel I've ever had the privilege of listening to. The performance is as perfect as the writing.

Out of date story. Excellent performance

I used to love Wallace Stegner. Reading this book felt tedious. Too much pop-psychology from the 70's. And I'm a psychologist!
Very disappointing.

Great Book

What a great book. The quality of writing is superb. Definitely better writing than most "popular fiction." If you like Wendell Berry you will like Stegner.

Wow.

When I grow up (I'm pushing 70) and become a writer, I want to be Wallace Stegner. Richard Poe's compassionate, understanding performance draws our own experience, our friendships, our fears and our sorrows into clear focus and enriches the legend of Stegner's gifts.

Not Stegner best

Bought this book on a hunch bcuz I read Angle of Repose and loved it, Big Rock Candy Mountain and liked it a lot, and one other- can’t remember which. This was a disappointment. The main word that comes to mind to describe it is. “DATED”. Oh, so dated. It is so circa 60s/70s academic world and it does not age well. Character of Charity was probably rendered attractively at the time of writing, but in today’s world, most of the time she comes across as artificial drama Queen whom you want to slap. I can imagine liking or even loving this book 40 years ago. But it does not age well. The narrator likewise is mediocre. Not terrible, but he does Stegners narrative no favors. Another narrator might have brought a little more forgiveness to the wretchedly dated characters, plot line, circumstances and relationships.

Brilliant

One of the truly great books of its era. A psychological study of two couples and of life.

A Masterpiece!

I have listened to this three times and plan on many more in the years again. Stegner paints a picture of real people engaged in real life and through it the reader is able to learn and be inspired. The writing is wonderful and the narrator is super. This is a classic and should be read by everyone.

Beautiful writing

Great plot and beautiful writing. Stegner is a master. He’s among the very best American authors in my opinion.