Emily Alone by Stewart O'Nan

 Taking place seven years after Wish You Were Here, O'Nan continues the story of Emily Maxwell. It is such a pleasure to read his narratives that are so character driven. Throughout Emily Alone, vignettes of her life come together to give the reader more insight into this woman, her world, her moods, and all that motivates her in life. 

 Back in Pittsburgh, she and her sister-in-law, Arlene, meet at Eat 'n Park every Tuesday. As the novel begins, Arlene suffers an "incident" and is take to hospital. Emily jumps right in to tend to her needs there and at home, feeding her fish and taking care of her car. The reader glimpses all that goes on in her mind as she goes about picking up the slack. 

When she prepares for her children's visit, she decides to hire a cleaning lady. But before she come she need to ready the house. How many of us do the same thing? Her relationship with her children, Kenneth and Maggie are a central part of the book. She is frustrated by the condescension of Kenneth and the life decisions that Maggie makes. The grandchildren have grown up and have developed individual personalities. 

When Emily's car is totaled by an unfortunate accident, she, reluctantly, shops for a new car. When she buys a blue Subaru, she worries that it might be too flashy! Trips to the Philpps m the Aviary and Mt. Washington are some of her favorite adventures. Some of the most poignant pages in the novel are those describing her cleaning out the basement. She reflects on all the memories that the items she is donating to the church auction bring back. Many are related to Henry, her late husband. Anyone who has ever had to clean out spaces, understands how hard it is to give up those special items. It is noble of her to start this process so that her children won't be burdened with it. 

She confronts her own mortality by learning of the death of close friends and attending their funerals. How true those thoughts are for those in their 70s like Emily. The novel is just the right amount of introspection and humor. O'Nan knows the balance. His style makes the books unforgettable and "unputdownable." On now to Evensong.