Crossing to Safety

Unusual characters that feel like old friends.. Adds much to thought & discussion of end-of-life issues in a very personal and creative way.

Lush and beautifully written, this story covers many years of two couples. If you like Richard Fords stuff, or Russo, then you will be very happy with this book.

I learned about this novel from the " The End of Your Life Book Club" book. When I checked it out, the reviews on it were amazing. Unfortunately I do not agree with the previous reviews. It is a very well written book but I think the story is average. There were times when I just wanted the chapter to end, the details of a certain situation would linger forever. I think the book could have been much shorter and still get the same message out.
Having said that, still, I think there were some concepts, towards the end of the book, that were worth discussing

Too monotone for me

I think I would prefer to see it in a movie setting rather than read it in a book and spend that much time on it

I found this book to be what other reviewers said - a satisfying and moving description of a life long friendship between two couples. But I also saw more: these couples had experiences and tragedies that changed and molded them in unique ways. How they reacted was really the heart of the story.

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.

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.

Definitely the narrator.

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)

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.

A very well written story that was rich with description and feeling

My first thought was Charity - she is such a unique individual with an interesting perspective. How ever, in a story about two couples, it is difficult to really pick a favorite. They are all intertwined.

I could imagine the main character of the book telling the story.

The first chapter was tough and I considered skipping the book altogether. But once I got to the second chapter, the story sucked me in and painted a beautiful picture of the life experiences of four people.

The book caused a certain amount of introspection. The fact that the characters were so well developed that I was able to consider the effects of aging on relationships speaks volumes about the writing skill of the author.

Sorry....

A writer writing a book about writing a book.

Poe made this poor book worth enduring to the end. Bless his heart for having to read it.

Just not an interesting storyline.

no

This is a story about death and decay. I'm too old to listen to it and gave up after 1/2 hour.

Absolutely! The story of the Langs and the Morgans... their strong friendship, through the ups and downs of life. Good job, Mr. Stegner!

His dialogue scenes were difficult to track who is speaking. With a book so heavily reliant on it, Mr. Poe could have differentiated voices better.

Yes! I wanted to know what happened to the Langs and Morgans. Good book, quietly unassuming, and captivating.

This is not my favorite Stegner book... that is reserved for the Big Rock Candy Mountain... but this is solidly captivating.

Definitely. I am not a literary savant and didn't even recognize many of the references in this book, but I loved this book in every way. The reading was done wonderfully, the book, itself is the most beautifully written book I've ever read. I do not usually love flowery language in books and often loose focus, but the way that this author gives every detail of emotion and experience was spell-binding. I am almost, but not quite to the end so can't comment on it, but cannot imagine that I will be disappointed because I love this book so much.

Can't think of any

No

No