Returning to the characters we met in Emily, Alone and Henry, Himself author O'Nan has a lovely novel featuring a group of women who call themselves The Humpty Dumpty's. Originally a regular date for bridge games, their relationship has grown into a cooperative schedule of caring for each other - meals delivered when one of them is ill; hospital visits and vigils in times of more serious health issues; shopping for groceries and medications. The bridge game has shrunk to just one table, and the tasks of caring for those not present now consumes an Excel spreadsheet.
At the center of the story are Emily and her sister in law Arlene.
Like the previous novels in this series, not much happens. Instead the reader is presented a chain of episodic chapters as the friends move through the fall and winter season of 2022.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the advance review copy.

Stewart O'Nan once again proves his mastery of the American quotidian with this quiet, funny, and deeply tender novel. He has an uncanny ability to illuminate the beauty and significance of everyday moments, and this book is a perfect example of his talent. Spending time with Emily and Arlene felt like being invited into the warm embrace of familiar company; they are characters who linger in the mind long after the final page. O'Nan presents a truly lovely slice of life, and the ingenious narrative structure, anchored by the recurring bridge club meetings, provides a rich context for exploring the themes of aging, friendship, and resilience. The bridge club becomes a powerful symbol of their interconnectedness, showcasing the myriad ways these women offer each other support, humor, and unwavering care as they confront the uncertainties and indignities that accompany their twilight years. This novel is a small but potent reminder of the enduring power of human connection and the quiet strength found in navigating life's challenges together – a true small light in the darkness.

Maybe this book hit too close to home, but I was not impressed. A quaint story of a close knit group of aging women and their card playing, volunteering, and daily lives. Sometimes the stories were just a little too mundane. The descriptions of their friendship and roles in the HDs (their volunteer group) was endearing but after a while seemed to just hit a wall. Just not for me.

Community, Change, and Memory in Evensong

Evensong: A Novel by Stewart O’Nan is a quiet, reflective story that finds its strength in the small moments of everyday life. Set in the familiar rhythms of a close-knit church community, the novel follows Joan, a longtime organizer at Calverley, as she recovers from a fall with the help of her friends. Their shared faith and history create a warm, lived-in atmosphere, where small acts of care and concern speak volumes about the bonds between them.

O’Nan excels at capturing the nuances of aging—both its burdens and its unexpected moments of grace. There’s a gentle but unmistakable sense of change running through the novel: physical limitations, shifting relationships, and the guilt that often comes with watching loved ones grow older. These themes weave naturally into the story, never overwhelming the narrative but always present in the background.

While the novel’s setting is firmly in the present, occasional references to the COVID era and contemporary politics can feel a bit jarring, as do moments when past books in the series are heavily referenced. Readers new to this world may feel slightly adrift at times, as the novel assumes familiarity with its characters and their history. Still, Evensong remains an inviting read, one that rewards patience with its quiet depth and emotional honesty.

At its heart, Evensong is a novel about resilience—not just personal resilience, but the strength found in community. The friendships at the center of the story, rooted in faith and shared experience, give the novel warmth and resonance. For those who appreciate a thoughtful, understated story about aging, connection, and quiet transformation, Evensong offers a rewarding and reflective reading experience.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of Evensong: A Novel by Stewart O’Nan from Grove Atlantic via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Evensong is a lovely novel a story of older women who come together to help each other.They pick up each other’s prescriptions check on each others well being.They pick up characters are so well written loved getting to know them.Another wonderful Stewart O’nan novel.A really special read.# NetGalley #groveatlantic

This is a lovely and bittersweet story about aging women who take care of one another in their small community. Nobody writes everyday life better than Stewart O’Nan. I enjoyed all the women’s stories and it was nice to meet up with Emily again. The loneliness of the characters really comes through and how they are trying to enjoy their golden years as much as they can.

A warm and comforting novel about a group of women in their later half of life, coming together and helping each other out, being each other company and spending the time spreading love and comfort. Realistic and cosy, this novel felt so light and bright, flowing with the wind.
Genuine characters and proper plot development, this book is an exceptionally well written account on the lives of older women and the daily things they come across and had to go through. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a slow moving, comforting story with no cliches or flashy incidents.

Wonderful, comforting, real life story.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I am a huge fan of Stewart O'Nan's 'Last Night at the Lobster' so I was very eager to read this work. Like Lobster, it is a very incisive slice of life type of book set in Pittsburgh in contemporary times. The church plays a big role as a setting in this book and some of that was confusing to me. And as a woman of a similar age as some of his characters, I found this to be a depressing read at different points. Yet, it is fascinating and the reader finishes with a very good sense of these four women and how they are living their lives: their joy, their loneliness, their pets, their fears and their health. In that sense it really is comparable to Last Night at the Lobster. I will be interested to see how it is received.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It resonated.

Stewart O'Nan's latest is a collection of vignettes focusing on a bridge club in Pittsburgh who join together to help each other as they age. Among doctor visits, emergency room trips, and funerals, the women join together for the Calvary church's choral performances. The novel is an episodic reflection on aging entwined in the distinct personalities of a small group of women with good intentions.