Crossings

by Betty Lambert

Crossings was Betty Lambert's only novel; published by Pulp Press in 1979, it was revolutionary for its frank and unsettling portrayal of Vicky, a female writer in Vancouver in the early 1960s, an educated and intelligent woman who struggles to come to terms with herself as she navigates an emotionally abusive relationship with Mik, a violent logger and ex-con. Their physical, often violent affair offers an honest and unflinching look at relationships and female suffering. The book caused a furor when it was first published, and in fact was banned from some feminist Canadian bookstores. At the same time, it was widely acclaimed by critics and writers, including Jane Rule, who "This portrait of an artist as a young woman should stand beside Alice Munro's Who Do You Think You Are and Margaret Laurence's The Diviners as a testimony of the courage and cost of being a woman and a writer."

Out of print for more than twenty years, this new edition of Crossings will introduce this Canadian classic―and remarkable writer―to a new generation of readers.

Includes an introduction by novelist Claudia Casper ( The Reconstruction and The Continuation of Love by Other Means ).

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Feminism

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1979 I think this books is highly underrated. Set in the early 60's in Vancouver this follows Vic who is in relationship with Mic. But it's far from happy as its often gets physical. Not an easy book to listen to but good nevertheless.

[Anakana Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossings is a startling and brilliant novel. It has recently been republished under the Vancouver 125 Legacy Books initiative. The novel starkly (and sometimes uncomfortably) examines the unremitting nature of demented, violent relationships. Betty Lambert (who also wrote 74 plays) was unrelenting in tackling the difficult material that she could easily have shied from. Crossings uncomfortably digs into holes we'd probably rather not look. (Mick is a shuddering creation.) Even the opening of the novel acknowledges something rarely acknowledged in Vancouver fiction: the sense of the city existing beyond merely its cartography. That its workers, especially seasonal, have historically gone out to the bush, to fish, to log and returned to the city.

"'You can't destroy me,' he had said 'I've been destroyed by the experts.'"

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumps around a lot, yet so well crafted that it is still a good book. When you consider when it was written, you realize that for its time it was a masterpiece. Newly re- released ladies who came of age in the time period of this book will probably appreciate the cultural nuances better than younger generations. Still, it is worth reading... Explores issues of spousal abuse, rape, self destructive behavior.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underrated

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book. I’ve had the audiobook downloaded for months; however, I was in a reading slump and don’t think I would have appreciated what this story needed to tell me.

This book aligns with works like The Bell Jar by Plath and Elaine Kraf’s The Princess of 72nd Street, and the themes it explores were, for its time, a huge risk. Vic’s character reflects many of the struggles women faced during the 70s, especially with second-wave feminism advocating for financial independence and bodily autonomy amid Roe v. Wade. The accurate depiction of what being in an abusive relationship looks like probably left a poor taste in publishers’ mouths, and I can understand why Lambert’s efforts to publish Crossings caused some controversy.

Vic is a multifaceted, complex character who, in her marriage to Ben, enjoys the freedom to be an emerging successful woman — the breadwinner — while Ben stays at home. This gender role reversal is both ironic and deliberate. Yet as the story unfolds, Vic appears to wrestle with this newfound freedom, still yearning for the traditional life women were often expected to lead before the 70s, where motherhood was a primary identity.

As Vic’s relationship with Ben wanes and her childhood is revealed, her attraction to the abusive Mic becomes more understandable. The novel accurately depicts situations women have endured for decades, if not centuries, and provides insight into how women with trauma might make choices — decisions that are not always logical.

It’s truly unfortunate that the author passed away so young. I would have loved to read more of her work.

[sophia the first · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard it was an interesting look at a feminist perspective. It was a big deal because the author was a feminist in real life, but her book was from the POV of an abused woman, so the critics were like OMG you’re totally not a feminist. It’s a slog to get through, but once you’re done it’s interesting to think about. Like Of Mice and Men or books like that. It’s graphic and confusing. The writing style seemed like the narrator was just spewing consciousness, which made her seem more human.
This is one of those books you can’t really rate, it’s a horrid reading experience but leaves you more educated and with thoughts.

[Naomi McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book because it's set in vancouver and the gulf islands and i was intrigued by the author's own life. the writing is fair to good. it's a bit messy and non-linear but this makes sense in the context of the character. it's refreshingly unflinching when it comes to describing a woman who subverts herself to a drunk man.that said, it got put down mid-read when something i was more interested in came along. i will pick it up again, but that says something about the quality of the work i suppose.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see this book reissued in 2012. It's a gritty portrait of BC in the '70s from the perspective of a would-be writer whose relationships are more than complicated. It stands up to the test of time.

[Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strange and will read again!!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing by this Canadian author who reviews two options on the narrow list for women in the 1970's.