Cross a Wide River

Opening in antebellum Georgia, this first novel follows the lives of several generations of the Bolt family and their eventually liberated slaves. The Bolts flee the destruction of the Civil War and ultimately resettle in New Mexico. John Bolt becomes an apprentice to a blacksmith, and learns from his mentor not only a trade that will ensure his livelihood wherever he goes, but also to treat blacks respectfully and fairly. He marries and achieves his dreams of success with the help of his wife, his son, Wes, and his black friends. Wes continues in his footsteps and completes the undertakings begun by his father. Each person finds a suitable companion in this dull epic. The characters are either good, like the hardworking Bolts, or evil, like their adversaries, and consequently, the narrative is devoid of suspense and intrigue. (Jan.)