Our Souls at Night

I’ve read most of Kent Haruf’s books and I love them. His books remind me a lot of Wendell Berry and Marilyn Robinson, studies of people and the many foibles they contain. Our Souls at Night is Haruf’s final book, it was published after he died and it’s about aging and loneliness and love.

It takes place in Holt, CO, the made up town where most of his books are set, and it’s about two older people who are alone and one of them, Addie Moore, decides to do something about it. She asks her neighbor Louis to spend the night, for companionship, and from there a beautiful relationship grows.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a nice break from some of the more dystopian things I’ve been reading lately, but I also love the writing style, easy going and informal that then punches you in the gut with an insight that I often stopped and reread.

The book has been made into a movie, but I’m not sure I’m going to watch it, I like the Addie and Louis in my head and would rather not have it tainted.