Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

I really loved this book, minus one character that I really disliked. This is the type of character book that I really enjoy. These characters mean something to me. I actually felt outrage toward Addie's son, Gene. How dare he dictate what his mother should and should not do - and hold his own son as "hostage" from Addie until she did what he said. Gene nearly ruined my enjoyment of this charming little novel. I am glad that Addie decided to "defy" Gene at the end - but HONESTLY - why does she have to? He should mind his own miserable life - and wife. The only people hurting Jamie are his parents. Just ticks me off.

I liked how Addie and Louis' histories unfolded as they got to know each other. They both had sad and/or tragic experiences in their lives that affected them deeply and changed them permanently. Neither Addie nor Louis seemed happy in their marriages, but they both felt the loss of their spouse when they died. They both were so lonely until they found each other. How wonderful to find a companion to talk to late in life. Someone to lay in bed with, hold hands, eat lunch & dinner with, attend the theater. Everyone needs a best friend like that, no matter what age.

I felt sorry for Jamie. That's the only reason why I could accept Addie's decision to move to Denver to be with Jamie & Gene. Jamie needs Addie (and Louise, in my opinion!) in his life. She brings stability and "safety" to his life. I totally understand why Gene struggles. He feels guilty for the death of his sister, and his dad never really connected with him (forgave him?) after Connie's death, since his dad "preferred" Connie. I have never understood favoring one child over another. Never. BUT, that doesn't give Gene the right to play dictator over his mother's life! She so deserves some happiness!

I could tell that the author of this novel was older by the way it written. I guess someone in his late 60s/early 70s would be the perfect person to tell a story about two people finding companionship in their early 70s though, right? ;) I just thought it was a wonderful story (minus Gene). After I finished the book, I read the book jacket and I was sad to read that Kent Haruf died in November 2014. This book was published in 2015. I have read a couple of his other books and I really enjoyed them as well.

Wendy's Rating: *****