Scan barcode
lizzielightfoot's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy his writing. I've read two of his previous books and liked them. Emily, Alone is, I think, a companion to this book. So now I have to go back and read it again.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about this one, so you'll just have to read it for yourself.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about this one, so you'll just have to read it for yourself.
saltydough's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is just a good, comforting slice-of-life. As a Pittsburgher myself, I always enjoy O'Nan's portrayal of the city, and I find that his writing really captures the impact of seemingly inane experiences on our lives. Especially after reading Emily, Alone, it was interesting to see how Henry viewed her and how they navigated life together. The book is slow, and a little sad, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who likes action or adventure, but I personally found it to be a very enjoyable read.
ahsimlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Henry Maxwell is largely in the background in Wish You Were Here and Emily, Alone, so it is lovely to have this story narrated from his perspective. Henry is a wholly decent man, a WWII vet, a retired engineer who takes pride that he will live and die in his Pittsburgh community. In the previous Maxwell families, Emily is not entirely likable, although O'Nan always draws her complexity with compassion. But Henry truly adores Emily, and nearing their 50th anniversary he is still deeply in love with her, looks forward to their time alone, and laments how their daughter's addiction and their different coping mechanisms for it divide them at times. The small moments of a marriage and domestic responsibility like picking up dog poop, fighting the selfsame dog's grass killing ways, dealing with roots in the plumbing, and more are detailed with dignity and humor in this quiet character-study.
Some passages that spoke to me, as I also navigate issues with family members with addictions:
"It was tricky ground. While long ago he'd decided to let Margaret live her own life, Emily, out of guilt or a misplaced need to save her, still wanted to believe they could fix things, even on occasion defending her against him. Sometimes, for Emily's sake, he wished she would give up, but understood she couldn't. Just as often he doubted his own position, accusing himself of coldness, cowardice. What kind of father had so little faith in his daughter?" (94)
"A relapse, perhaps, though Margaret talked about her addiction only when she was clean, framing her behavior in the psychobabble of rehab, her poor decision-making miraculously relegated to the past. Clean slate. Attitude of gratitude. Let go, let God. Most likely it was another setback anyone who knew her could have predicted but that she would chalk it up to her chronic bad luck. A bounced check. A towed car. She was forty-seven and still thought the world was against her, as if the world cared. Whatever the news was, it would be expensive, and ultimately he'd foot the bill." (272-273)
"While she was away, he'd forgotten how powerfully she broadcast her feelings, filling the house like some kind of nerve gas. Now, as the days passed, he grew used to it again, its absence--that brief period of calm--harder and harder to recall. She could be cutting and abrupt, unthinking, yet, for all her faults, working beside her in the kitchen, or after dinner, watching her go over her lists, or in bed, listening to her sleep, he was glad to have her home." (351)
Some passages that spoke to me, as I also navigate issues with family members with addictions:
"It was tricky ground. While long ago he'd decided to let Margaret live her own life, Emily, out of guilt or a misplaced need to save her, still wanted to believe they could fix things, even on occasion defending her against him. Sometimes, for Emily's sake, he wished she would give up, but understood she couldn't. Just as often he doubted his own position, accusing himself of coldness, cowardice. What kind of father had so little faith in his daughter?" (94)
"A relapse, perhaps, though Margaret talked about her addiction only when she was clean, framing her behavior in the psychobabble of rehab, her poor decision-making miraculously relegated to the past. Clean slate. Attitude of gratitude. Let go, let God. Most likely it was another setback anyone who knew her could have predicted but that she would chalk it up to her chronic bad luck. A bounced check. A towed car. She was forty-seven and still thought the world was against her, as if the world cared. Whatever the news was, it would be expensive, and ultimately he'd foot the bill." (272-273)
"While she was away, he'd forgotten how powerfully she broadcast her feelings, filling the house like some kind of nerve gas. Now, as the days passed, he grew used to it again, its absence--that brief period of calm--harder and harder to recall. She could be cutting and abrupt, unthinking, yet, for all her faults, working beside her in the kitchen, or after dinner, watching her go over her lists, or in bed, listening to her sleep, he was glad to have her home." (351)
libwinnie's review against another edition
4.0
Henry's life is one of simple pleasures--family gatherings, lake vacations, puttering around the house, walking his old dog. In this quiet, contemplative novel, there is only the grace and frustration of everyday life, unwinding peacefully as Henry reflects on a life filled with bitter and sweet memories and complicated relationships. A companion piece to O'Nan's Wish You Were Here and Emily, Alone, this title can also be read as a standalone. Authentic and gentle, it will appeal to fans of Kent Haruf and Wally Lamb.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
5.0
Stewart O'Nan is one of those writers that is easy to overlook. His books aren't about big things---no cars crashing, no bombs exploding. O'Nan looks closely at everyday life. Henry, Himself is probably not a book some people would enjoy at all. It's simply the story of the day-to-day existence of an elderly man and his elderly life, his reminisces, his regrets, the small delights and frictions Henry faces.
sweissman's review against another edition
3.0
Henry, Himself is a charming slice of life book about an older man from Pittsburgh. It captures a year of Henry's life as he goes about his chores and household projects, and interacts with his family, neighbors, and friends.
This book was "boring" but that was the point... it brings to light the beauty that can be found in the mundane and routines of life. What I liked most about the book were Henry's interactions with his wife, Emily. They have a very sweet 'we've been married forever and just get each other' relationship, which made for lots of witty back and forth and marital insight.
I appreciated Henry, Himself for what is, but it was a sluggish read for me and I was very eager to move on to my next book while I was reading it. I went in thinking it would be similar to A Man Called Ove (which I loved!), but this book didn't quite do it for me. If you like slow paced character driven fiction, Henry, Himself may be for you!
This book was "boring" but that was the point... it brings to light the beauty that can be found in the mundane and routines of life. What I liked most about the book were Henry's interactions with his wife, Emily. They have a very sweet 'we've been married forever and just get each other' relationship, which made for lots of witty back and forth and marital insight.
I appreciated Henry, Himself for what is, but it was a sluggish read for me and I was very eager to move on to my next book while I was reading it. I went in thinking it would be similar to A Man Called Ove (which I loved!), but this book didn't quite do it for me. If you like slow paced character driven fiction, Henry, Himself may be for you!
More...