Come late afternoon, as dusk floats in like moats off a dust mop, I fill the teakettle, set out a cup and saucer, then rummage for a bit of a nibble to tide me over until dinner. It is often the best time of day. The hours have settled in, the evening’s meal is simmering, and the soft glow of lamps glow from within. This is an opportune time of day to nestle into my latest book, a magazine that just arrived, or to take the time to appreciate the holiday cards that are arriving.
On one such afternoon, I settled into a small book I picked up at the library. It was one of those books marked as “staff picks”, displayed among other recommendations. I often find little gems amongst these suggestions. Such was the case as I opened “Evenings at Five” by Gail Godwin.
Christina, a writer, and Rudy, her husband of nearly 30 years, work on opposite sides of their home; he composing music, she crafting words. Promptly, at five, they come together, she on the leather sofa, he in his Stickley chair, sipping cocktails while discussing each other’s day’s work.
The reader realizes, not far into the book of some 114 or so pages, that Rudy has died, suddenly. Although he had been ailing, the death was unexpected. Christina reflects on their long life together, trying to fit the pieces of her new one into a new order.
A woman who relies on visuals in her writings, Christina’s ghost of Rudy is one she hears rather than sees. She imagines conversations with him, hearing his voice, several octaves “lower than God’s”. It is a poignant, revealing, sad and sometimes funny journey as she copes with the loss of all she has known and begins to settle into the new life Rudy’s death has played to her.
“Evenings at Five” is based on Gail Godwin’s long partnership with composer Robert Starer. The story is rich in the music of language, told from the heart and soul of a woman who has surely known grief.
I read “Evenings at Five” in two sittings. It is a small book, more a novella, that can be read in a few hours. I found it hard to put down, both for the poetic prose, the story line, and the charming, simple line drawings that are used to illustrate the objects of Rudy and Christina’s life.
This was a gentle and sensitive book for me to read, on two evenings, at five.
Do you ever pick up a staff recommendation from the library or bookstore?
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
What a beautiful post and a recommendation I think I must read … at five … in two sittings … 🙂
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Thank you, Teresa. You can try it at four, one setting, but, the mood is different.
Hope you are warm and snug. Here there is a bit of snow up there.
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I’m trying to give up sugar this week so your picture made me almost as melancholy as your description of the book! I’m usually too overwhelmed at libraries and bookstores to even notice the staff picks. I usually allow myself to stumble upon what I’m going to read next. The third book in my series (yet to be released) came about after I went with my husband to the library to use the internet. I found a book about a 19th century utopian society and instantly knew my character would go there!
The sweet thing on your saucer looks sooooo good.
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How exciting to meet one of your characters in the library! Along with a few other literary bloggers, I hope to read The House on Tenafly Road in the new year. Was there one before that?
That sweet thing is a cruller, which my son-in-law Jason made for Thanksgiving. Delicious. It was his mother’s recipe, and is becoming a tasty tradition that he brings over whenever our granddaughter, his niece, Kezzie is in. She loves Uncle Jason’s donuts. (she calls them donuts, which is how they were originally described to her)
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No The House on Tenafly Road is the first. Hope you enjoy it as much as I’d enjoy that cruller right now!
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Your cruller and tea look delicious and cozy. The book sounds sweet and sensitive. I’m sure this book is a “tear jerker” as my Dad would say. Although, I don’t think it is at all strange to have imaginary conversations with those who have departed.
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I don’t think I could read this, Penny. I so fear the day that’s MTM or me. It will come, however I feel about it.
I still think you would like Yesterday Road, the book I mentioned last week. I read a couple of others over the holiday. Sirens by Janet Fox was good. I won it on L Marie’s blog.
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I do understand that fear, Andra.
Thank you. I have it down in my TBR, and have just added Sirens. My list runneth over.
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Penny, this is definitely my kind of book. I love the concept and the tile, and have ordered it instantly from my library. Thank you, I am collecting good reads ready for the summer holiday at the bach.
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You are quite welcome, Juliet. Summer holiday at the bach – how warm that sounds. Up here we are quite cold, now. Brrrr, but, good books to keeps us company as well. I think you will appreciate this one.
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I love the idea of having a time of day set aside for just this kind of nourishment–the tea and a dedicated reading time. I don’t have that at this point and my reading is often very late at night. So I move s-l-o-w-l-y through. 🙂 I don’t seem to notice the staff picks as much as I just head for the new books and something always jumps out at me. Maybe I should pay more attention! Another wonderful book review, Penny. You do them so well!
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Until recently, my dedicated reading time was also late at night, Debra. Now, I can’t seem to get enough light. Sigh. I think I’ve always had a time of day for reading, though, be it late at night, for years during my lunch break when I was working full time, now, late afternoons. I usually move slowly as well. This one is just a fast read. I do encourage you to check out the staff picks once in awhile. I’ve picked up some excellent reads I might no have otherwise read, this being one.
Thank you so much, Debra.
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Dear Penny, as you know, I tend to end my comments with the word “Peace.” It is all I could ask for friends near and wee, far and by. And that is exactly what I always feel when I read your postings. There is peace, like honey oozes into pores, life butter melting on freshly baked bread, within
your words. Peace is a gift you offer us with your cherished words and your compassionate life. Thank you.
I read “The Christmas Room” and delighted in Kezzie’s decorating the tree. She is such a dear child. The word “precious” comes to mind.
As to books, I can’t remember one of the staff recommendations ones–although I have checked out books from that table–but I do remember so well a book recommended by a library book club: “Maisie Dobbs” by Jacqueline Winspear. I read it and discovered a truly gifted writer who has introduced me to England both before and after World War I. Maisie Dobbs is such a welcomed addition to the many memorable characters I’ve met in reading novels.
I hope this Advent season finds you content and able to live in the present moment with Kezzie
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Dear Penny, somehow I cut myself off with the previous comment. I meant to end with ” . . . able to live in the present moment with Kezzie and with your husband and friends and family and all the happenings of this treasured season. Peace.” And so again: Peace to you and those whose lives you have touched and whose lives have touched yours.
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Your kind words are a gift to my day, Dee, and I always look for that “peace” from you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Precious she truly is. I think we will all have lasting memories of decorating the tree this year. A gift in itself.
Had you not read the library book club recommendation, this wonderful series may have eluded you, Dee. As it is, I have “Pardonable LIes” sitting here waiting for me to dig in to. She is such a very memorable character. I’m looking forward to digging into this one.
Thank you for coming back to finish your thoughts, which are so kind. I love the season of Advent. We don’t have an Advent wreath, but, I make certain to light candles during our dinner each night. In a way, this helps me live in the present moment, which you so eloquently say. Peace to you, as well, Dee. Your life and your life stories have touched me here.
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Whenever I have read a book you recommended I have loved it but I am a little afraid of this one, for the reasons that I know you understand. Maybe I will be brave and look for it anyway.
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I certainly do understand, Sallie. It is sensitive subject, though I will say it wasn’t the tear-jerker I thought it might be, though it did give me pause to do some heavy reflecting.
Freezing and snow up here. I’m sure you are nice and warm down there.
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I’ve followed many of your recommendations in the past, Penny, often having to buy rather than borrow the book, and have never been disappointed. This is now on my must-read list. Having watched my mother and mother-in-law cope with bereavement, I don’t shy away from the subject.
However, I’m still a read-in-bed person and find my Nook e-reader helps here as I can make the print a comfortable size for lower light-levels.
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I’m coming to the realization that an e-reader is what I need, Perpetua. I had always been a read-in-bed person. The one downside of my own cataract surgery is that I can no longer do this comfortably. Several blogging friends, including you, have been encouraging in this.
As I mention to Sallie above, “Evenings at Five” brought on a reflective mood for me. It deals not only with grieving, but with the preparations we do in life that are practical, and are spiritual. Their marriage is of mixed faith, he is Jewish, she Christian, I’m forgetting what denomination. How his death is handled was very touching to me. At any rate, I hope you will enjoy this, Perpetua.
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