Reviews

Henry, Himself by Stewart O'Nan

bibliobethica's review

5.0

A brilliantly simple novel told from Henry's point of view. Henry goes through every day events as each chapter is an episode from his life in 1998. His 74 years have taught him a lot about himself and the people around him. The reader can't help but see themselves or those they know in the stories. The chapter about the church garage sale and his mother's grapes really hit home for me. It a book about every day struggles and small victories. Readers of Anne Tyler, Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout will enjoy Henry, Himself.

robynryle's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful, perfect, as always. I love all of these books, each a precious gem of insight into an ordinary life, lit up and made epic.

anneduff's review against another edition

5.0

This is a beautifully written insight into a year in the very ordinary life of a very ordinary 75 year old man living in the US. Curl up with this book in front of the fire and become Henry as you read his thoughts, his hopes, fears and dreams. It's a book of family and love. It's comforting and enchanting, homely and heart-warming.

lynnslibrary's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was pretty slow. It was all about the mundane things in life: his cabin, bills, going to the doctor. There wasn’t much plot. It was a good book, I loved the characters and enjoyed getting to know Henry. It was just a tad bit boring at times and took me a while to get through. I thought it would be more philosophical; him thinking back more on his past and his regrets and his feelings. 

gum1311by's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

susiejo124's review against another edition

4.0

This book is wonderful in its ordinary-ness. Henry is a retired married father of older children. His 75th birthday is right the corner. He tinkers in his house and goes to Home Depot-a lot. He is concerned about his health, lapses in memory and balance, and tries not to worry his wife. He worries about his kids and money. He and his wife Emily are involved in their community.
We can relate to Henry and probably know someone like him.
I enjoyed this quiet and charming novel. Next on my list is a book about Henry's wife Emily...

alittlediamond's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

A sweet, heartwarming old guy book. Henry is 75 and is reflecting on his life. The author shares every thought and every action, so that you get to know Henry very well and it's very slow. For example, Henry doesn't just enjoy a cookie on the dock watching the sunset. He gets a cookie, he takes a bite of the cookie, and he chews the cookie.

This was a random find on Libby, suggested by the app bot probably after I read Ove or How the Penguins Saved Veronica. I liked it enough to research it and found out it's actually the 3rd book about these characters, I think with Emily, Alone as the first one in the point of view of his wife. 

He had a good dog, so that was a plus. 

valjoy's review against another edition

4.0

I love Stewart O’Nan’s prose

jigsaw's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

heddywheddy's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Decent read for background noise but this book doesn’t have much a plot or climax. It’s more of take of man’s inner monologue on his daily tasks as a retired and aging patriarch