Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I've read a few Stegner books, and love every one of them.
He is a magician for the written word, evoking feelings we learn to admit to ourselves.
Without fanfare, he stages a scene where the true self emerges, without apology, and without artificial healing.
He is a magician for the written word, evoking feelings we learn to admit to ourselves.
Without fanfare, he stages a scene where the true self emerges, without apology, and without artificial healing.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2 stars ---
(Physical)
I’m going to apologize for my brutal honesty here.
The first part of this book was good. The setup was interesting and I had fun learning about the main characters.
And don't get me wrong I loved the group dynamic between Larry, Sally, Sid, and Charity. Obviously they are very likable. Though I don't think their story would have survived if this book had of been in the 3rd person. Larry's first person POV saved it for sure. I understand the purpose being their journey and growth, but the descriptions of their time together fell kind of flat. The only thing that kept me interested was their dialogue between each other (Which, I'll be honest, was actually top tier to say the least.)
As it progressed, the feeling of wanting to just finish this book became harder to ignore. It was reminiscent of checking on an old friend that you haven't talked to in years. You don't want to reach out ever, you just want to stalk them on FaceBook to see how they're doing nowadays. I wanted to skip to the end and just see where the gang ended up. Once I got there I was gifted with an unsatisfying ending.
Overall, and to keep along the string of analogies, this book felt like I was fishing in a boat. On the water I cast my line and watch my hook bob. I think I have a bite so I real in just a bit and recognize it was nothing. My excitement fades. I leave the line out to bob again. I do this over and over hoping I'll catch something until I've reeled my line all the way back in and am disappointed with my waste of time because I've caught nothing.
I neither regret reading this nor recommend anybody else to read it.
(Physical)
I’m going to apologize for my brutal honesty here.
The first part of this book was good. The setup was interesting and I had fun learning about the main characters.
And don't get me wrong I loved the group dynamic between Larry, Sally, Sid, and Charity. Obviously they are very likable. Though I don't think their story would have survived if this book had of been in the 3rd person. Larry's first person POV saved it for sure. I understand the purpose being their journey and growth, but the descriptions of their time together fell kind of flat. The only thing that kept me interested was their dialogue between each other (Which, I'll be honest, was actually top tier to say the least.)
As it progressed, the feeling of wanting to just finish this book became harder to ignore. It was reminiscent of checking on an old friend that you haven't talked to in years. You don't want to reach out ever, you just want to stalk them on FaceBook to see how they're doing nowadays. I wanted to skip to the end and just see where the gang ended up. Once I got there I was gifted with an unsatisfying ending.
Overall, and to keep along the string of analogies, this book felt like I was fishing in a boat. On the water I cast my line and watch my hook bob. I think I have a bite so I real in just a bit and recognize it was nothing. My excitement fades. I leave the line out to bob again. I do this over and over hoping I'll catch something until I've reeled my line all the way back in and am disappointed with my waste of time because I've caught nothing.
I neither regret reading this nor recommend anybody else to read it.
A well-written book in which you don't care for any of the characters is a tricky beast. I struggled with Crossing to Safety after first picking it up. There wasn't much that drew me to really care about the lives of the narrator: a wonderfully lucky young academic, his loving wife, and the wonderfully lucky young academic and rich couple that lavishes love and attention on the two, all four reveling in their wonderful friendship, their wonderful riches, and their wonderful ivy-league-sharpened minds. It seemed like more of an autobiography than the compelling novel I had pictured it to be, and if it were poorly written, I would have dropped it for lack of interest.
But Wallace Stegner is a great talent; his writing is exquisite and yet down to earth. His recollections (if these are indeed semi-autobiographical) are warm without being too repulsively wishy-washy. The topic of conversation between the Morgans and the Langs, as they grow old and stretch their writerly bowstrings, each with different degrees of talent and success, frequently turns to the idea of how to write a good novel without the frills of a normal plot with its highs and lows and climaxes; Stegner seems to be existentially saluting this goal in writing the book, and by investing our time and attention with it we are made to salute with him. The characters are there to be their unremarkable selves and to live within the book, not to carry the plot or serve as a foil for another, and you are drawn into this ring of characters as if you yourself were a good friend of theirs. Bravo, Stegner. You did it. Whether or not these folks are based on your own life and friends, you have transformed my sympathy for them through your talented prose, and I will remember their thoughts and care for their well-being as if I knew them.
But Wallace Stegner is a great talent; his writing is exquisite and yet down to earth. His recollections (if these are indeed semi-autobiographical) are warm without being too repulsively wishy-washy. The topic of conversation between the Morgans and the Langs, as they grow old and stretch their writerly bowstrings, each with different degrees of talent and success, frequently turns to the idea of how to write a good novel without the frills of a normal plot with its highs and lows and climaxes; Stegner seems to be existentially saluting this goal in writing the book, and by investing our time and attention with it we are made to salute with him. The characters are there to be their unremarkable selves and to live within the book, not to carry the plot or serve as a foil for another, and you are drawn into this ring of characters as if you yourself were a good friend of theirs. Bravo, Stegner. You did it. Whether or not these folks are based on your own life and friends, you have transformed my sympathy for them through your talented prose, and I will remember their thoughts and care for their well-being as if I knew them.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one barely got 2 stars. Not because of poor writing or foul/crude parts but because it couldn't capture my attention at all. And I'm ashamed to say that I knew this from the beginning and should have just chucked it but I did not. Wasted 11 hours when I could have listened to a better book. Dang it. I hate when I do that.
The redeeming quality of this book was that it was narrated by . He's the guy that does all of [a:Dan Brown|630|Dan Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399396714p2/630.jpg]'s books and narrates them well. I kept thinking that there would be some Illuminati in this book or a spy would infiltrate them or there would be a passionate love scene between Sally and the guy.
Yeah, I had no idea what was going on. I liked at the beginning when Larry reflected on his life and talked about how Self-Improvement (my favorite) is truly rewarding.
There was a nasty part in the book where someone mentioned heating up a nasty chamber pot on the stove so that it would get warm in order for them to toss out the remains because they had been frozen. That smell would be so disgusting and would make me throw up.
I didn't understand the scene at the end where the mouse faked its death. Is that what Sally did? Somebody please help me. Wikipedia proved fruitless.
The redeeming quality of this book was that it was narrated by . He's the guy that does all of [a:Dan Brown|630|Dan Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399396714p2/630.jpg]'s books and narrates them well. I kept thinking that there would be some Illuminati in this book or a spy would infiltrate them or there would be a passionate love scene between Sally and the guy.
Yeah, I had no idea what was going on. I liked at the beginning when Larry reflected on his life and talked about how Self-Improvement (my favorite) is truly rewarding.
There was a nasty part in the book where someone mentioned heating up a nasty chamber pot on the stove so that it would get warm in order for them to toss out the remains because they had been frozen. That smell would be so disgusting and would make me throw up.
I didn't understand the scene at the end where the mouse faked its death. Is that what Sally did? Somebody please help me. Wikipedia proved fruitless.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow, emotional, paused audible subscription $ so took few months before I could get back to it to finish part three.
I've never read anything like it, I'll definitely be ready more Wallace Stegner.
I've never read anything like it, I'll definitely be ready more Wallace Stegner.
Crossing to Safety is the story of 2 couples: Larry and Sally, and Charity and Sid, who meet each other when Larry and Sally move to Wisconsin. It follows their lives over many years, showing how friendship can carry you through life's tough moments.
The enduring friendship of these couples is at times infuriating, but is truly remarkable. Charity and Sid are wealthy, and they share their fortunes with Larry and Sally. When Sally has a difficult birth, Charity helps the family. Sally contracts polio, and Charity again helps.
Finally, at the end of Charity's life, she wants to die peacefully, without Sid bearing any sorrow. But, Sid doesn't understand this. Larry and Sally come to be with their friends.
The enduring friendship of these couples is at times infuriating, but is truly remarkable. Charity and Sid are wealthy, and they share their fortunes with Larry and Sally. When Sally has a difficult birth, Charity helps the family. Sally contracts polio, and Charity again helps.
Finally, at the end of Charity's life, she wants to die peacefully, without Sid bearing any sorrow. But, Sid doesn't understand this. Larry and Sally come to be with their friends.
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated