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Carol's Reviews > Our Souls at Night
Our Souls at Night
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The Hook - The first sentence “And then there was the day Addie Moore made a call on Louis Waters.� If my head hasn’t been in the sand, by this I mean read any review or publisher’s promotions, I know why Addie comes knocking on Louis� door. What I want to know is how her proposition works out.
The Line � “Who does ever get what they want?
The Sinker � This is one of the books that defy the star rating for me. I just don’t know how I feel. When I finished Our Souls At Night three days ago I was a bit incredulous and mouthed ”What the heck?� I just couldn’t believe it.
Our Souls At Night is a sparse, short story that packs a great deal of emotion into its few pages. It’s a story about aging, loneliness and yearning, simply told. I easily identified with the characters and rooted for a happy ending. Some would say it was but I would go back to this quote “Who does ever get what they want? with wonder.
Knowing that the author, Kent Haruf knew he was dying when he wrote Our Souls At Night didn’t help me understand his plot choices any better. I was frustrated, angry, and unconvinced that the characters that concocted such a brave plan would allow outside forces to meddle with their lives. Would real savvy seniors act this way?
I am being particularly vague in my comments, as I want to spoil little. You can read much in a quick summary or in the many reviews without me telling all. Still I’m going to add the spoiler alert to my review to be extra careful.
I hope to have the opportunity to discuss Our Souls At Night in a group. I might be able to star rate it after that.
The Line � “Who does ever get what they want?
The Sinker � This is one of the books that defy the star rating for me. I just don’t know how I feel. When I finished Our Souls At Night three days ago I was a bit incredulous and mouthed ”What the heck?� I just couldn’t believe it.
Our Souls At Night is a sparse, short story that packs a great deal of emotion into its few pages. It’s a story about aging, loneliness and yearning, simply told. I easily identified with the characters and rooted for a happy ending. Some would say it was but I would go back to this quote “Who does ever get what they want? with wonder.
Knowing that the author, Kent Haruf knew he was dying when he wrote Our Souls At Night didn’t help me understand his plot choices any better. I was frustrated, angry, and unconvinced that the characters that concocted such a brave plan would allow outside forces to meddle with their lives. Would real savvy seniors act this way?
I am being particularly vague in my comments, as I want to spoil little. You can read much in a quick summary or in the many reviews without me telling all. Still I’m going to add the spoiler alert to my review to be extra careful.
I hope to have the opportunity to discuss Our Souls At Night in a group. I might be able to star rate it after that.
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Our Souls at Night.
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Reading Progress
October 28, 2015
– Shelved
October 28, 2015
– Shelved as:
fiction
Started Reading
June 25, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)
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Jennifer
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Oct 28, 2015 01:11PM
Great review Carol. The star rating system is hard. Not every book is for everyone either. I have yet to read this one. It sounds so sad!
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Jennifer wrote: "Great review Carol. The star rating system is hard. Not every book is for everyone either. I have yet to read this one. It sounds so sad!"I don't think I felt sad in the end. It might have been better if I was.
Carol wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Great review Carol. The star rating system is hard. Not every book is for everyone either. I have yet to read this one. It sounds so sad!"I don't think I felt sad in the end. It ..."
It sounds like it just didn't work for you. It happens. At least it was a short book!
You express your reaction very well and I certainly understand your frustration. The issue you struggled with had me in tears, but I guess I was swayed by Haruf's ability to evoke these strong emotions with such simple language and story.
I'm glad you finally got your hands on it.
Esil wrote: "You express your reaction very well and I certainly understand your frustration. The issue you struggled with had me in tears, but I guess I was swayed by Haruf's ability to evoke these strong emot..."Absolutely Esil. I just need to work through that frustration. I did think it was a beautiful concept as well as story.
Janet wrote: "I'm glad you finally got your hands on it."Me too. I rarely have a hard time separating choices the author makes from my enjoyment of a book. Truly, I liked this but wanted to scream at Addie. Why am I judging her so?
Even though I loved this short book, I very much admire your candid review Carol. Your point about the old couple defying convention only to completely backtrack a little later never crossed my mind, but it certainly raises a very valid question...
As you said it should make for a very interesting book club discussion.. :)
Maybe Addie felt vulnerable...if I recall correctly she had begun to have health problems and was more dependent on her child(ren)? It's a sad thing when the child becomes the parent....I'm already seeing this coming in my own life.
Iris wrote: "Even though I loved this short book, I very much admire your candid review Carol. Your point about the old couple defying convention only to completely backtrack a little later never crossed my mi..."
The questions I have might be resolved in a this discussion as someone may point out valid reasons for the decisions each character made.
Janet wrote: "Maybe Addie felt vulnerable...if I recall correctly she had begun to have health problems and was more dependent on her child(ren)? It's a sad thing when the child becomes the parent....I'm already..."(view spoiler)
Carol, for me it was an immediate 5 stars , but I appreciate your reservations in rating it and reading your thoughts,
Elyse wrote: "Carol: I'd join in for a discussion! I think there is tons to talk about with this book. It doesn't really matter to me --if you put 1 star or 5 stars --I LIKED your EXPRESSING yourself --and shar..."
Thanks for cheering me on Elyse. It's true that the stars often don't mean as much as the feelings. I put more weight on people's comments than the star rating.
Angela M wrote: "Carol, for me it was an immediate 5 stars , but I appreciate your reservations in rating it and reading your thoughts,"Thanks Angela...sometimes it's hard to rate a book.
Elyse wrote: "Carol: If you 'do' see a book discussion on this book (maybe some place on this site) --I'd sure join you."I realized after that this what you are seeking. I'll think about it. Have never done one online.
Elyse wrote: "Once .. A woman who was a retired teacher - organized a very sophisticated wonderful book discussion on O Human Bondage .. We read it chapter by chapter - with questions she presented for us and we..."I'm going to drop the ball on this for the time being. I'll think about it.
Elyse wrote: "Ok. Fine with me too. But thanks for your really wonderful post and thoughts"You are a dear Elyse...
it's a wonderful story. I am sad it's his last.
Barbara wrote: "it's a wonderful story. I am sad it's his last."Same here Barbara.
I hated it. I was prepared to love it but it felt like a betrayal of the characters. If the book is about choosing to be brave and to love, Addy's choices at the end were terrible. It didn't have to end that way. I'll still read Plainsong, but i did not like this one.
Liz wrote: "I hated it. I was prepared to love it but it felt like a betrayal of the characters. If the book is about choosing to be brave and to love, Addy's choices at the end were terrible. It didn't have t..."Glad you stopped by and added your thoughts. I totally agree with your perspective. Could have been so much better.
I struggled with this one. To me it seemed like a first draft that needed refinement.
I think I was most enchanted with Kent Haruf's writing, his use of language. The story was hard to love, but the writing was a jewel.
Helen wrote: "I struggled with this one. To me it seemed like a first draft that needed refinement."I do understand your comments. You always read with such a sharp eye.
Cindy wrote: "I think I was most enchanted with Kent Haruf's writing, his use of language. The story was hard to love, but the writing was a jewel."Yes, the language!
I don't know how I missed this review when you wrote it. This was a 5 star for me but I agree with your savvy senior point. I thought they seemed much older than they actually were, especially because of that fact.
I loved this book, but it made me sad. When e meet up again, we need to chat about this story.
Wow! You have me very curious about this book. I am a little afraid to read it though. I read through some of the comments. I may be off but some of the plot is about children becoming the caretakers? All anyone can do is raise kind and loving kids and hope they take care of you when you can no longer take care of yourself.
I've heard that same annoyance from each person who's reviewed it, so I'm going to pass on it, but this is a great review (as usual)!
Your review is thought-provoking for me, Carol. I did love this novel...probably because the author's stories resonate so personally with me. Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same reaction to books on this forum? I enjoyed reading yours.
Kelli wrote: "I don't know how I missed this review when you wrote it. This was a 5 star for me but I agree with your savvy senior point. I thought they seemed much older than they actually were, especially beca..."Good point about how old they were. In the book A Man Called Ove, Ove was called elderly, 59. I that the new old? Oh my, I'm ancient.
Going to check out if I read your review.
Kate wrote: "I loved this book, but it made me sad. When e meet up again, we need to chat about this story."I absolutely can understand the feeling of sadness. Many years ago a colleague lost her husband. A few years later, at a holiday gathering for our librarian friends I invited two women in to give us chair massages. Librarians are busy and it was a special treat. I will never forget what this women told me after. It had been so long since anyone had touched her. I will never forget that. In your career I know your realize the power of touch. I hope ohers will consider this. It is what truly stands out to me about this book.
Laura wrote: "Wow! You have me very curious about this book. I am a little afraid to read it though. I read through some of the comments. I may be off but some of the plot is about children becoming the caretake..."I will be interested to hear your thoughts. Yes, this was a mixed bag for many but I feel it's worth the read. Often, the whole book may not be perfect, but when something makes me feel like this one did, how could it be bad?
Carol wrote: "Your review is thought-provoking for me, Carol. I did love this novel...probably because the author's stories resonate so personally with me. Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same reaction t..."Absolutely. It is why I enjoy GR so much.
Jamie wrote: "I've heard that same annoyance from each person who's reviewed it, so I'm going to pass on it, but this is a great review (as usual)!"Many other books out there Jamie.
Carol wrote: "Kate wrote: "I loved this book, but it made me sad. When e meet up again, we need to chat about this story."I absolutely can understand the feeling of sadness. Many years ago a colleague lost her..."
So sad. We often have no idea what other people are going through in their lives. I always try to "walk softly" because you just never know what other people may be dealing with.
Carol wrote: "Laura wrote: "Wow! You have me very curious about this book. I am a little afraid to read it though. I read through some of the comments. I may be off but some of the plot is about children becomin..."Very true.
Laura wrote: "So sad. We often have no idea what other people are going through in their lives. I always try to "walk softly" because you just never know what other people may be dealing with."Very well said and good to remember.
Excellent review, and I agree completely.
Larry wrote: "Excellent review, and I agree completely."Thank you Larry.
As always, Carol, you wrote a great review. I was so disappointed that the couple allowed their families to dictate their choices. I really wonder why they didn't just tell them to mind their own business.Most books I read are forgotten in a few weeks - my memory is pretty much non-existent - but I remember this book better than most. And I enjoyed it; just wish it had been longer and had a different outcome.
Diane wrote: "As always, Carol, you wrote a great review. I was so disappointed that the couple allowed their families to dictate their choices. I really wonder why they didn't just tell them to mind their own b..."This was my major frustration with the book. Totally agree with your take on it. And like you I often forget a book soon after reading but this one does stay in my mind.
Wonderful review, Carol, this was very different from his Plainsong series, but it has a very special place in my heart.
Cheri wrote: "Wonderful review, Carol, this was very different from his Plainsong series, but it has a very special place in my heart."Thank you...it was different. I will certainly miss this author.
UGH! This book was just super inconsistent, dull at times, and dialogue that was horrific! I listed to the audiobook, and yelled out: "What The F*&K!" at the end. I was just so irritated with this book.
Kari wrote: "UGH! This book was just super inconsistent, dull at times, and dialogue that was horrific! I listed to the audiobook, and yelled out: "What The F*&K!" at the end. I was just so irritated with this ..."That's why there are lots of books. I really liked this, you didn't and then we move on to the next one. Better luck next time.
I just finished it, Carol. I picked it as a read-aloud for Lenny's and my afternoon reading sessions. We had many of the same questions that you voiced above and conducted our own mini-reading group discussion.
Bas wrote: "I just finished it, Carol. I picked it as a read-aloud for Lenny's and my afternoon reading sessions. We had many of the same questions that you voiced above and conducted our own mini-reading grou..."What a great choice for you to read together. Does Lenny read aloud also?
Have you seen the movie? I'd be interested in your opinon.
Carol wrote: "Bas wrote: "I just finished it, Carol. I picked it as a read-aloud for Lenny's and my afternoon reading sessions. We had many of the same questions that you voiced above and conducted our own mini-..." Yes, we do take turns reading. We usually lie on our bed and pass the book back and forth. We haven't seen the movie yet...I have to admit that I don't really see Redford and Fonda in those particular roles. We had fun coming up with our own suggestions for the parts. Addie: Glenn Close, Helen Mirren, Laura Linney, Ali MacGraw and Louis: Bill Murray, Jeff Bridges, Mark Harmon. Did you see A Walk in the Woods with Redford? I don't feel that worked because he was too old to play the role of Bryson, and it completely shifted the dynamics for me. Plus, the movie wasn't funny, and I found the book to be hysterical. But maybe that's just me. We are moving on to Plainsong next for our read-aloud. I read it years ago and wanted Lenny to see how Haruf handled a longer, more complex work.
