Please find my book review in my blog.
https://thecuriouspolymath.substack.com/p/book-review-crossing-to-safety-by ( )

Wallace Stegner's writing is beautiful, warm, rich, and sensitive. He writes about the complexities of the human heart and soul with subtlety and simplicity, without ever over-simplifying them or avoiding the attempt to explore them. This book is one of his best I think - it is one character's account of his marriage and the friendship he and his wife have with another couple over the course of their lives over the 1930s to the 1950s in the US. They lead a charmed existence in some senses - liberal midwestern academia, wealthy New England money, European cultural interests - and while the Second World War gets some passing attention, the novel confines its characters in a social, racial, and political bubble. Nevertheless, it addresses some of the pain and confusion of two different marriages and the imperfections and joys of friendship in a way that draws out universal themes. The joys and suffering of all human relationships are beautifully woven into this very fine account of a particular quartet of unique characters. ( )

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. ( )

A stunningly beautiful reflection on life, love and friendship. Other reviews say it all. I have hundreds of sentences underlined, not just because of he beauty of the prose, but also because of the insight in his observations. ( )

A highly personal novel for me.