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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a LOT. The first book in a while that has really made me think. It’s not an easy or light read. It’s a book about all the big life experiences; marriage, parenting, family, loss, grief, guilt, the good and bad sides of being human, God and religion. Heavy stuff, but relatable, and yet the ending brings healing, hope, community love and friendship.
A novel set in 1950s small town Maine. It goes into the detailed lives of a young Congregational minister, his wife, who dies young, his daughter and several of his parishioners. There's all the smallness of daily life and petty motivations that make for some nasty gossip and consequences. There are the constraints of women's roles in the 50s, the undiagnosed PTSD suffered in war, and the trauma of the loss of a young wife and mother for a man of God and his daughter. Infused throughout are lovely descriptions of the winter scenery in Maine and lots of bits of prayer and reflection on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer which form the backbone of faith for the minister. It is mostly about the humanity of people in this town, though, and because it is Elizabeth Strout, it is beautifully done.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Abide With Me is a terrifically written book. Strout layered many themes throughout and colored the canvas in both grays and vivid bright hues depending on the character or topic. Strout masterfully included scripture and scholarly work while also cutting through to the base essence of people, marriage, and caste. Stroud’s use of genuine vulnerability to cut through base ugliness was powerful and refreshing. 4 stars recommended for deeper character study literary fiction aficionados.
Priča o svećeniku u malom američkom gradu 1950ih, koji se u periodu tugovanja nakon ženine smrti teško nosi s pritiscima okoline, posla, obitelji, i još više dolazi do izražaja njegova teškoća da se ikome suprotstavi. Jako lijepo napisano, po običaju za autoricu - deprimirajuće, ali lijepo. Moj omiljeni dio (slijedi spojler) je što sam 250 stranica čekala da sve potjera u materinu, a on je na kraju svoju katarzu i promjenu dobio tako što se prepustio i potpuno slomio
I really enjoyed this book. The story, about a pastor of a New England church in the 1950s, and how he deals with the loss of his wife, and continuing his ministry in spite of it, is a very interesting tale. I think the author does a good job of getting inside her characters--especially the motivations and thought processes of the 1950s. I like how she makes the pastor a sympathetic character--and human--not too otherworldly or holier than thou. I particularly liked how the book ended. You think towards the end of the book that it is going to end in a very human way, but then, in a beautiful way, it ends on a note of pure, uplifiting, transcendent grace. I also like the references to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian who was killed in a concentration camp during World War II. I had always admired Bonhoeffer's courage, and now I feel compelled to read more about his life and theology.
Het verhaal begint voor mij pas halverwege echt te leven en toch was ik vanaf het begin geboeid door hoe Elizabeth Strout de personages beschrijft. Door hoe zij hun gedachten en motieven schetst. Ik kroop daardoor ook vol begrip in de huid van degenen die mij onsympathiek of onbegrijpelijk voorkwamen. Ik wil meer van haar lezen!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not my favorite Elizabeth Strout, but worth the read. Her characters are always flawed yet feel like friends.
A very tender, lovely book. A good picture of the ministry life, personal grief and defending your children.