What do You think about Evenings At Five: A Novel And Five New Stories (2004)?
This is a touching tribute to a well lived marriage from the voice of the surviving spouse, Christina, who I gather is a not so subtle incarnation of the author. The cocktail hour clearly was a huge part of her marriage to a composer (in life and in art); I can relate as the cocktail hour played a huge part in my upbringing. It was the time of news and booze and witty conversation - even us kids got in on the act. The final of the five short stories is a moving account of the last visit between Christina and her mother. It moved me to tears and made me miss my mother even more.I love Gail Godwin as a novelist; this memoir gave me a window into her personal life. I liked what I saw.
—Susy
While this selection on Good Reads lists it as having five new stories...the one I read only had the story of Christina and Rudy. It was a super fast read...but one that leaves you with meaningful questions to ask yourself about your loved ones and what they mean to you.Christina and Rudy end each day with the Happy Hour...with Rudy mixing Christina's dring with precision. They sit across from each other and share an evening of conversation of things applying to their lives...she is an author and he a composer. Rudy unexpectedly dies and while coming to terms with her loss, Christina refelcts on their bond...with all it's quirks, habits and unexpected moments and asks herself "What did I think, that we had forever?" In trying to find her new place in life, she almost loses her grip on life itself along with her health.The lesson to be learned...appreciate, enjoy and never take for granted what/who you have in life!
—Debbie
While this may be a little book which is easily read in less than two hours, it manages to convey the importance of living large to the very end. I loved the older couple depicted - artistic, eccentric and vibrant. In life they both adored and exasperated each other, she a writer, he a composer. Every day at 5pm they sat down for a cocktail to discuss their respective days, with him usually carrying on about something or another. Grieving his loss after he's died, she continues their tradition in spite of his empty chair, desk, piano and cocktail glass. It sounds depressing, but it's not. Poignant and sad, of course, but surprisingly funny, too. This is a wonderful little read.
—Cathy
