Our Souls At Night by Kent Harufโ audio
Book Blurb:
In the familiar setting of Holt, Colorado, home to all of Kent Harufโs fiction, Addie Moore pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters. Her husband died years ago, as did his wife, and in such a small town they naturally have known of each other for decades; in fact, Addie was quite fond of Louisโs wife. His daughter lives hours away in Colorado Springs, her son even farther away in Grand Junction, and Addie and Louis have long been living alone in houses now empty of family, the nights so terribly lonely, especially with no one to talk with.
My Review: 4 stars
Our Souls At Night is a quiet read and a sentimental ode to aging. This novel has been on my list for some time and I believed it was one Iโd sadly never get to. Itโs a reality in a readerโs life that there are books you know youโd like to read, but will never get to them, ever. This book somehow fell into that category. Anyway, I was heading to the city, about a forty-five minute drive each way (assuming thereโs no traffic) and stopped at the library to grab a new audio book. The timing was serendipitous as this titleย was on the audio shelf and wasย only three discs long. Due to obnoxious Chicago traffic on the way home, I was able to listen to it in its entirety.
I loved this story and its message. No one wants to be lonely, ever. We crave comfort, someone to talk to in the night and having someone to lie next to. Thereโs power in that. This book completely confirms this but all paints a stark reminder of family obligation and the push and pull those can have on us.
It was brilliant thatย the author references his prior books as part of the fictional story. Small town charm, beautiful writing and a calming sensibility filled the pages of this narrative. The author wrote this when he was quite ill and close to his time of passing. It was a beautiful homage to his wife. Highly recommend this one.
Quotes I liked:
Iโve come to believe in some kind of afterlife. A return to our true selves, a spirit self. Weโre just in this physical body till we go back to spirit.โ
-โI made up my mind Iโm not going to pay attention to what people think. Iโve done that too longโall my life. Iโm not going to live that way anymore.โ
-โWho does ever get what they want? It doesnโt seem to happen to many of us if any at all. Itโs always two people bumping against each other blindly, acting out old ideas and dreams and mistaken understandings.โ
-โWho would have thought at this time in our lives that weโd still have something like this. That it turns out weโre not finished with changes and excitements. And not all dried up in body and spirit.โ
I love all of Kent Haruf’s Holt books and was so sad when he died. Great review, Lauren!
Thanks Eileen. I was too. What a soulful man and wonderful author.
This was the first book I read by Kent Haruf and I absolutely loved it. I read it in one sitting. I’m looking forward to reading some his other books.
It was such a perfect slice of life. I’ve only read one other of his, Plainsong.