Crossing to Safety

by Wallace Stegner

In this novel of friendship between two married couples, readers are forced to consider both—marriage and friendship.

When Larry and Sally Morgan move to Madison, Wisconsin for Larry’s new teaching job, they meet Sid and Charity Lang, and they are instantly enchanted. The Langs and the Morgans become fast friends. For Larry’s first year of teaching, life is good. Sally and Charity even become pregnant at about the same time.

All is well until a series of events tests the couples, both professionally and personally. Their challenges only serve to deepen the friendship between the couples. The couples’ time together helps the Morgans to better understand the true (and imperfect) nature of the Lang’s marriage.

Not much action, not much emotion, and not much character development. Some of the writing is beautiful, though a little self-conscious. 

1/18/13