Abide With Me

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Strout

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Olive Kitteridge and My Name is Lucy Barton comes a “deeply moving” (The Washington Post) novel that “confirms Strout as the possessor of an irresistibly companionable, peculiarly American voice” (The Atlantic Monthly).

“Superb . . . a shimmering tale of loss, faith, and human fallibility.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

In the late 1950s, in a small New England town, Reverend Tyler Caskey has suffered a terrible loss and finds it hard to be the person he once was. He struggles to find the right words in his sermons and in his conversations with those facing crises of their own, and to bring his five-year-old daughter, Katherine, out of the silence she has observed in the wake of the family’s tragedy. Tyler’s usually patient and kind congregation now questions his leadership and propriety, and accusations are born out of anger and gossip. Then, in Tyler’s darkest hour, a startling discovery will test his parish’s humanity—and his own will to endure the trials that sooner or later test us all.

Small Town

This book is wonderful. If you have ever lived in a small community or have been a member of a small church this book rings true. The damage caused by gossip and innuendo can be devastating, The love and compassion found in these communities can be healing. Strout is one of my favorite authors, and she does not disappoint in this book. The narration is perfect.

Amazing

Heart warming and insightful, Elizabeth’s Strout’s character development is so layered and deep. This is one of her best books.

Terrible narrator for this book. I am sure she does well with other writers

As usual with this author, the characters are quite unlikable until the very end. She has a keen sense of human frailty and jealousy. Tin the end, however, all is well. Narration was abysmal

Long

Takes too long to get to the point. Good meaning though. Good character development and description

Understated and powerful

This is a subtle, quiet book, but it spoke volumes to me. Although it was about a minister who was widowed at a young age, it certainly isn’t what I’d call “Christian Fiction” – in otherwords, it would be enjoyed and appreciated by anyone of any faith. Yes, there are a lot of scripture references, but they reflect what is going on internally with Tyler Caskey, not statements to the readers. I loved how this book flowed, and the way each character was fleshed out. This book has many messages, and I really fell in love with this book. It seemed a bit slow going at first, if I recall, but it hooked me and I was eager to listen to the story every day, even going to the hardback version and reading what I’d already listened to! Highly recommended.