Our Souls at Night
A novel
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4.2 • 425 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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.
In the familiar setting of Holt, Colorado, home to all of Kent Haruf's inimitable 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 Louis's wife. His daughter lives hours away, her son even farther, and Addie and Louis have long been living alone in empty houses, the nights so terribly lonely, especially with no one to talk with. But maybe that could change?
As Addie and Louis come to know each other better--their pleasures and their difficulties--a beautiful story of second chances unfolds, making Our Souls at Night the perfect final installment to this beloved writer's enduring contribution to American literature.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Within the first three pages of this gripping and tender novel, Addie Moore, a 70-year-old widow, invites her neighbor, Louis Waters, to sleep over. "No, not sex," she clarifies. "I'm talking about getting through the night. And lying warm in bed, companionably." Although Louis is taken off guard, the urgency of Addie's loneliness does not come across as desperate, and her logic will soon persuade him. She reasons that they're both alone (Louis's wife has also been dead for a number of years) and that, simply, "nights are the worst." What follows is a sweet love story, a deep friendship, and a delightful revival of a life neither of them was expecting, all against the backdrop of a gossiping (and at times disapproving) small town. When Addie's six-year-old grandson arrives for the summer, Addie and Louis's relationship is tested but ultimately strengthened. Addie's adult son's judgment, however, is not so easily overcome. In this book, Haruf, who died in 2014, returns to the landscape and daily life of Holt County, Colo., where his previous novels (Plainsong, Eventide, The Tie That Binds) have also been set, this time with a stunning sense of all that's passed and the precious importance of the days that remain.
Customer Reviews
Our souls at night
This is a lovely book about people returning to a younger version of themselves. Having the
Courage to take a chance on love and overcoming built in resistance to opening themselves to affection. Older people can also fall in love again and imagine giving pleasure and being companionable. Perhaps a little bittersweet but that's what happens in life.
A wonderful read
I expect this to stay with me for awhile. The beautiful tenderness between Louis and Addie, but also the ruthless power of Addie’s family. I kept conjuring solutions for them! I loved Louis and Addie and Jamie and Bonny. It felt so real. I miss them already.
Maybe better choice
Endearing & relational as I am 71 & my husband just diagnosed with Parkinson’s, how would I handle the loneliness? Made me aware of the choices I might make. In my life I would have chosen Louise to spend my last years because there would hopefully be many more days of joy instead of waiting to see if my grandson would make me happy