This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy in as many hands as I could.
Crossing to Safety is one of those novels I came across in my early blogging days when I was getting to know which bloggers I’d like to follow. I’ve a feeling that it was Jacqui at JacquiWine’s Journal who put me on to it. Whoever it was, I’m very grateful. Written when he was seventy-eight, Wallace Stegner’s semi-autobiographical novel is about two couples and their lifelong friendship.
The Langs meet the Morgans during the Great Depression. Charity and Sally are both pregnant while Sid and Larry are colleagues in the local university’s English department. The story of this friendship, which will see the couples through happiness and tragedy, triumphs and tribulations, is told through Larry’s recollections. All this may sound a little dull but for me, it’s a quiet masterpiece, notable for the elegance of Stegner’s expression and its evocation of a friendship which manages to weather the strains put upon it by changing circumstances.
I remember trying to track down as many of Stegner’s novels as I could after reading Crossing to Safety but few seemed to be available here in the UK apart from Angle of Repose. Much to my delight, I stumbled upon an American import of Recapitulation when on holiday in Madrid and snapped it up immediately.
What about you – any blasts from your pasts you’d like to recommend?
You can find more posts like this here.
I’ve heard this widely praised from many quarters and snapped up a secondhand copy some years ago … but still haven’t read it. (Story of my life!) I also have Angle of Repose. One of these days I must try Stegner.
Oh, you should. Beautiful, elegant writing, and so insightful. I’m sure you’d appreciate it.
I loved this book (I only read it a few years ago). Like you, I wanted more Stegner but nothing readily available in Australia. I ordered online a copy of Angle of Repose – it’s on my shelf but the font is tiny, the paper it’s printed on is very thin, and t’s over 600 pages… it will be a more challenging reading experience when I tackle it!
That’s odd – I have no memory of Angle being so long. I must dig out my copy.
Mine is 620 pages (and I reckon would be 800 pages if the font was of a more readable size!).
Oh, no… Well, Crossing is the one that’s stayed with me so perhaps best to leave it at that.
My copy is like Kate’s. Very daunting indeed! Crossing to Safety looks more approachable.
I hasn heard of this one, it does sound good.
I think you’d enjoy this one, Ali.
Goes on my library list, of course (just below Elizabeth Hay).
Ha! That’s what I like to hear. Nice combination, too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Susan – a quiet masterpiece is spot on. As you say, it’s a shame more of his work isn’t readily available in the UK as I’m sure it would do well with the right promotional support. Well done for bagging a copy of Recapitulation – I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it!
Thank you so much for introducing me to his work, Jacqui. I’m sure you’ve already read William Maxwell but if not, I’d say he’s in a similar vein.
This is one of those novels that’s been on my radar for so long but I never seem to get to it. It does sound so good, I really must read it!
Perhaps Jacqui put it there! I always seem to be saying this but I really do think this would suit you well
I have heard so many good things about this book – and I own a very beat up copy of it that cost me 50 cents – but I still haven’t read it. Something to look forward to!
Absolutely! Well worth digging out. Marriage is a theme, too.
Angle is one of my alltime favourites. Stegner is wonderfull.
Such elegant writing! I’d love it if more of it was published here in the UK.
i’ve never come across this author before and though I’d love to say I will add it to my wishlist I fear it would not get read for many years
Ah, what a shame but I know what you mean.
I did cheat and buy ‘Angle’ and ‘Recapitulation’ on a visit to NY. But yes WHY isn’t more available in the UK? – very remiss. By the by – those put off by the density of ‘Angle’ – it doesn’t feel like that once you get involved, you won’t want it to end….
We should launch a campaign to get more Stegner into British hands!
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Crossing to safety is a glorious book….
Isn’t it? I wish more of his writing as available here in the UK.