Yesterday I bought The Englishman's Boy by this author from a charity shop because I remembered being impressed with this one when I read it back in July 2012.
Although I generally pass my books on as soon as I've read them, I kept this on my permanent shelves as it had been a Christmas present from a BookCrossing friend, who died between my receiving it and reading it. But I think I've probably kept it long enough - and it would be equally honouring of her memory to register and release it to be read by others rather than left gathering dust!
I can't write a detailed review but I can quote from the enthusiastic notes I made in my reading journal at the time:
"Concerns a Victorian family - Henry Gaunt - his eldest son Addington and younger twins Charles and Simon. Addington and Charles seek Simon who's missing in Canada/America.
Potentially confusing number of narrative voices - Charles Gaunt, Curtis Shaw, Lucy Stoveall, Aloysius Dooley - but clearly identified who's writing what!
An adventure among the Indians (sic).
Brilliant, powerful and gripping novel - ranging far and wide across Canada and Montana.
A Western, an adventure, a love story, a tale of duty - on an epic scale!"

Amazon Editorial Review: "The Last Crossing is a sweeping tale of breathtaking quests, adventurous detours, and hard-won redemption. Englishmen Charles and Addington Gaunt are ordered by their tyrannical industrialist father to find their brother Simon, who has gone missing in the wilds of the American West. Charles, a disillusioned artist, and Addington, a disgraced military captain, set off to remote Fort Benton on the edge of the Montana frontier. The brothers hire the enigmatic Jerry Potts, a half Blackfoot, half Scot guide, to lead them North, where Simon was last seen. Addington takes command of the mission, buying enough provisions to fill two wagons, and hires sycophantic journalist Caleb Ayto to record the journey for posterity. As the party heads out, it grows to include the fiery Lucy Stoveall, Civil War veteran Custis Straw, and saloonkeeper Aloysius Dooley. This unlikely posse becomes entangled in an unfolding drama that forces each one of them to confront personal demons. Told from alternating points of view with vivid flashbacks, The Last Crossing is a novel of ruggedness and salvation, an epic masterpiece set in a time when worlds collided, were destroyed, and were built anew."

Flying through the air to France in the hands of the Royal Mail for a BookCrossing friend who also 'knew' MrsGaskell!

Thank you Nu-Knees. I feel really touched that you have decided to pass on this book that was originally given to you by our mutual BookCrossing friend, Mrs Gaskell.
I remember hearing about The Last Crossing on CBC Radio's programme "Canada Reads" at least 10 years ago, when I was still living in Canada.

I can fully understand how this book was voted the winner of 'Canada Reads'. It truly is a classical epic adventure story. I can't really add any more than Nu-Knees has already. Thank you my friend for passing this special book on to me.