The Last Crossing
The Last Crossing
Book Brief
416
Novel • Fiction
Canada And USA • 1870s
2002
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe, the second entry in his nineteenth-century Prairie-lands Trilogy, follows Charles Gaunt, an English painter, as he reflects on events from 1871 when he and his brother Addington search for their missing twin, Simon, in the American West. Joined by a journalist and encountering various complex characters, their journey intertwines with themes of cultural conflict, individual struggles, and the influence of Indigenous populations. The novel includes rape and murder.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Gritty
Contemplative
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
4,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Guy Vanderhaeghe's novel, The Last Crossing, skillfully blends historical fiction and adventure, earning praise for its compelling narrative and rich character development. Readers appreciated the vivid prose and intricate plot, but some found the pacing uneven. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its depth and historical accuracy, though it may challenge those seeking a straightforward read.
Who Should Read The Last Crossing?
Readers who appreciate The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe enjoy historical epics rich in character development and evocative settings. Fans of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian or Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient will find its exploration of the 19th-century American and Canadian West compelling.
4,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Last Crossing is by Canadian author Guy Vanderhaeghe, and it won the 2004 Canada Reads competition, a national contest highlighting Canadian literature and hosted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Guy Vanderhaeghe's writing style in The Last Crossing is often praised for its vivid storytelling and ability to blend historical elements with rich, detailed character development, drawing comparisons to other contemporary Canadian authors.
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The novel explores themes and settings that reflect Vanderhaeghe's interest in the historical tale of Western expansion and complex cultural interactions, linking aspects of Canadian and American frontier narratives.
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416
Novel • Fiction
Canada And USA • 1870s
2002
Adult
18+ years
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