Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Evening by Susan Minot

Ann Lord is finally dying. She is remembering her life and her one great love Harris Arden. She met him at her best friends wedding forty years ago. So much happened in that one evening. She also remembers bits and pieces of when she was married to her different husbands and the lives she had with her five children. She is a woman who gave up her love of singing to take care of her children.

Susan Minot presents a story written in stream of consciousness style. One thought leads to the next but they are all connected. I have not read something like this in awhile and I really enjoyed it. She weaves a beautiful love story that changes one woman and one man forever.

Ann Lord has had quite the life. She has been married three times and has five children from them. She has cancer and has become complacent. She is not sure what is happening anymore. It is all coming back through her dreams and she has a difficult time placing memory from reality. Her children are there to keep watch over her but were smart by hiring a couple of nurses to help take care of her. Some things we just cannot do on our own.

This story was beautiful. It could be confusing at times if you are not used to this style. I have not read anything similar since Mrs. Dalloway in college and then I did not read the entire book. I recommend this book as a challenge. It is fairly short but it is so well done. I had a difficult time putting it down. I will certainly look at her other books.

264 pages/New Author/ Fiction/ Love Story/ 5 out of 5

I have two books to review but not sure I will get anything more posted review wise till I get back on Sunday from my cousin's wedding. :(