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cainrdc's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoy a light Daisy Jones read as much as the next person, but then I pick up a Wallace Stegner book, and I remember what literature feels like. This book is at once about very little – not much happens in terms of dramatic plot twists – and at the same time the story of an entire lifetime. The subtleties of young love, turning into long marriages, and the quirks of individuals who are inextricably intertwined whether as life partners, or lifelong friends. Dreams formed and dashed, plans made and forgotten. Long walks and long conversations. Not much and everything, all at once. I loved it.
shailydc's review against another edition
3.0
Stegner's writing is wonderful and I love his style, but this book dragged on a bit for me. I found myself skimming a lot of passages towards the end because I just wanted to be done with it.
msbrightside78's review against another edition
5.0
So long Charity Lang. It was a pleasure meeting you.
qkjgrubb's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cassiope_fastigiata's review against another edition
4.0
'Crossing to Safety' is the title of the first chapter of 'The End of Your Life Book Club,' which has led me to several recent reads. This book could have ended up, as it did for the author of 'The End of Your Life Book Club', a book I long 'intended to read', as it didn't really fit my current criteria for new reads: something that will take me far in space and time from the concrete jungle of Manhattan. This one only goes as far as Madison and Vermont, and back the time of a generation or two. However, I did pick it up off my to-read pile after only a few weeks of purchasing it, and was quickly drawn in to this quiet novel about two couples who meet in their early twenties, and who are now together again as the most exhuberant and central personality of the foursome is dying, in her early sixties. A beautiful portrait of two marriages and friendship, of criss-crossing paths of joys and of tears, of mortality. Highly recommended, although it may not fit all moods.
skynet666's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author and he is an excellent writer. I realize that there are two types of books - in our house I refer to Stegner novels (as well as others) as "real books". This book, as well as his others, display the prose of an extremely talented writer. There's a huge difference between this type of writing and others. With that said, this is the type of book that takes more effort for me to read and appreciate. It's worth it, but I feel like I'm cheating the book by giving it the same rating that I've given so many others. Oh well - that's just how it goes. I also cannot stand the fact that you can't give 1/2 starts!
iuliiamg's review against another edition
3.0
Para leer este libro hay que tener la mente totalmente despejada. Hay capítulos leeeeentos que a veces me sacaban de la trama. En mi caso no lo he disfrutado al máximo básicamente porque me lo estaba leyendo en una época de mucho trabajo. Pero me he quedado con ganas de volver a leer la historia. No es una lectura ligera, tenedlo en cuenta.
aimalicious811's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was interesting. The characters were complex, and sometimes unlike able, but hey, that’s people, right? I’ve heard other people describe it as a quiet book. I agree. It is also kind of slow paced, but good enough for me to finish it. A quiet story about two couples and their friendship that spans many years.