A review by bookhawk
Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

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? It's complicated

4.0

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.