Abide With Me

Elizabeth Strout has created a very believable, very human cast of characters, all of whom struggle with "issues"--some important, some mundane. Lots of big themes: courage, grace, humility, love, death, but mostly how to be the best possible human being in a world that doesn't offer quick, easy answers. The references to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the repeated mentions of the hymn "Abide With Me," added to my enjoyment of the novel. Set during the Cold War, it brought back many memories of my own childhood: the canned food in the basement, the fear of nuclear war, telephoning on a party line. Highly recommended.

Strout 's crafting of words and development of characters is wonderful. Not only individuals, but communities have character and move and act in predictable ways. Some sad, some funny and some uplifting. A great read.

After turning the last page of Liz Strout's Abide with Me, I wanted to shut down the outside world and hold on to the ending, savoring my time spent in West Annett (with a generous cast of very real, fascinating characters), in the way that only the best books can make us do. Strout's richly drawn characters and her beautiful, graceful prose held me in thrall to the end. And the end! Such a wonderful ending. If you had told me that I would read a book about a small town preacher from the 50's and that my hands would literally be sweating with anxiety over a long awaited give-em-hell sermon that I was absolutely dying for him to give, I would have laughed and called you nuts. But this was exactly my reaction to the story. And the fact that the sermon doesn't happen in the way we have been craving, but turns, slightly--in an absolutely unexpected but at the same time inevitable way--makes the ending just that much more satisfying, surprising, and redemptive.

This is a gorgeous, expansive, timeless, beautiful book.

This book was a wonderful descriptive book, the authors writing allows you to see the landscapes while reading the descriptions. The small town story brings back memories of sharing a time in a small time. Highly recommend.

I looked forward to Abide With Me ever since reading Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize winning novel Olive Kitteridge. This novel, too, was deeply perceptive, intensely emotional, and full of irony and surprise. The story's leading man, a strong, patient, sometimes stern young man, shows us the painful side of the human condition -- its conflicts, its tragedies, and the endurance it requires.

Elizabeth Strout's descriptive style makes one feel like you're right in the midst of the story. I love the way she leaves certain things unsaid for a time, creating a feeling of mystery, making the reader feel compelled to keep reading to find the answers. She lets us see deep inside the characters so we understand what makes them tick. She does this without getting "heavy" or bogged down with details - she's somehow able to incorporate everything together to make the story even more fascinating.

It's with remarkable emotion and grief, that I leave these last pages of writings by Elizabeth Sprout. She managed to bring me from laughter to tears, anguish to relief, depth of emotion to redemption of heart, all in one quick read of Abide with Me. Thank you Elizabeth. Your book brought a healing and new understanding to my soul.

What an amazing author. Having adored Olive Kitteridge I had to have more. A completely different story but again, an intimate examination of human frailty and strength. It is quietly spiritual without religious head-bashing. Give yourself space and time to relish this book and you will be rewarded. My only criticism matches that of an earlier reviewer in that we are a little short-changed in descriptions of what happens to some of the characters as things transpire and close. Still, it doesn't really detract from the main story line and I am still fully sated and still want more. Strout was born to write!

"No one to my knowledge has figured out the
Secret to love"

This book is meditative. Upon finishing it I find myself
Thinking of all that I have realized about the simplicity
Yet profound acts that life requires of us. That receiving
Is as essential to love as is giving.

Elizabeth Strout has a unique ability to make the ordinary quietly extraordinary. She conveys the miseries and joys of day to day life superbly. This, like her other books, is a joy to read. I find myself in the life of Tyler, whether or not I'm reading at the time.

Elizabeth Stout creates an entire small world in this wonderful novel, about a small town preacher in Maine at the dawn of the nuclear age. Elegiac and beautiful, it unwraps and unfolds slowly. I did not want it to end.

This is my weekend Marathon of Elizabeth Strout I have loved her novels
The descriptive prose takes you totally into the rich characters. I Think this is probably my favorite story this year. Really touched all the imperfections that we hide from ourselves. " my knowledge, has figured out the secret to love. We love imperfectly, Tyler. We all do. Even Jesus wrestled with that. But I think—I think the ability to receive love is as important as the ability to give it. It’s one and the same, really. Consider, for example, the physical act of love between a man and his wife. If one holds back, withholds the ability to receive that pleasure, isn’t it a withholding of love?” Tyler, to his great embarrassment, felt his face flush. “It’s just an example, Tyler.” “Yes.” “I suspect the most we can hope for, and it’s no small hope, is that we never give up, that we never stop giving ourselves permission to try to love and receive love.”

I think this is Elizabeth Strout's masterpiece, although she was most awarded for Olive Kittredge. I have read all her novels, but always give this one as a gift. Beautifully crafted and such complex characters, warts and all. And so deeply human and touching.

Elizabeth Strout has such great insight into every day life. Each person in the novel has their own perspective on the particular issue and it's quite interesting how she weaves the story line. If you loved Olive Kitteridge, you are going to love Abide with Me also. I highly recommend it!