Our Souls at Night
by Kent Haruf
Knopf, 2015
192 pages
source: purchased
"Who does ever get what they want? It doesn't seem to happen to many of us if any at all. It's always two people bumping against each other blindly, acting out old ideas and dreams and mistaken understandings."
One sentence summary:
A spare yet eloquent, bittersweet yet inspiring story of a man and a woman who, in advanced age, come together to wrestle with the events of their lives and their hopes for the imminent future. (from goodreads)
Brief thoughts:
Beautiful, simple, stark ... and nearly perfect!
It's been many years since I last read Kent Haruf, but a soft spot for his writing style and storytelling has remained. I purchased this book in Denver last summer to read on our flight home. That somehow seemed like the perfect time and place. And it was.
My rating:
I was leaning toward 4.5 stars, but settled on 5 in light of the author's recent passing.
Nice remembrance post. I, too, read Kent Haruf quite a while ago. Excellent writer and he wrote the kind of "people" books that I like to read. Seems like I had read of his passing but had forgotten about it.
ReplyDeleteJudyMac - Reading Our Souls at Nights made me want to go back and reread some of his earlier work - Plainsong, etc.
DeleteThis is the second review I've read of this book and you both loved it. I've added it to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I think you will enjoy this one, too!
DeleteVery nice post in memoriam. Am I wrong to be delighted that you loved his last novel before his death? I can't help but be happy that his last novel touched someone.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I know I'm not the only reader who felt that way about the book. He will be missed.
DeleteSuch a special story IMO. I also loved Benediction, the one before this one.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I missed Benediction. Hope to read it soon!
DeleteThis is a new author to me, but one of my book groups is reading this, and I have a copy waiting at the library (which will probably wait til I finish The Small House).
ReplyDeleteLisa - I'll be curious to hear what you think of Haruf.
DeleteHe is on my list to read. I've only recently started hearing about him and everyone seems to love him.
ReplyDeleteAthira - His book are all quiet, spare, and lovely!
DeleteI have not read Kent Haruf. This book looks good. I am liking character driven stories more and more.
ReplyDeleteBrian - I've always loved a good character-driven novel!
DeleteI've been hearing about this book everywhere, but the premise just doesn't grab me for some reason. But, I've loved a lot of books in the past where the premise didn't grab me, but I read them anyway because people raved about them.
ReplyDeleteSarah - I'll admit that none of his books are exactly what I'd call exciting. They're always on the quiet side, and I love them.
DeleteIt sounds sweet and lovely.
ReplyDeletePatty - Definitely lovely, but more bittersweet than sweet.
DeleteMad all the sadder since this was the last visit to Holt.
ReplyDeleteBath F - Definitely. I need to read Benediction soon.
DeleteYes. I'd like to read this one. I read Plainsong long ago, and would like to read another of Haruf's.
ReplyDeleteThecuecard - I loved Plainsong way back when. I never read Benediction (released last year or maybe the year before), but it is next on my list now.
DeleteSo glad you read this and enjoyed it! I savored every last word :)
ReplyDeleteTerry - Thank you for giving me an extra push to read it!
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