My local branch library has a shelf called ‘Recommended for Book Groups’ and this book called to me. A novel about a married couple in their golden years, from when they met and then through their big ups, deep downs, and their survive-it-all, opposites-attract marriage.
Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke were never meant to be together—at least if you ask Ruth. Yet their catastrophic blind date in college evolved into a seventy-year marriage and a life on a farm on Bainbridge Island with their hens and beloved Labrador, Megs. Through the years, the Winters have fallen in and out of lockstep, and from their haunting losses and guarded secrets, a dependable partnership has been forged.
But, when Ruth’s dental issue turns out to be something much more malicious, the beautiful, reliable life they’ve created together comes to a crisis. As Ruth struggles with her crumbling independence, Abe must learn how to take care of her while their three living children question his ability to look after his wife. And once again, the couple has to reconfigure how to be there for each other.
And that’s where I stopped…it wasn’t the writing, it wasn’t the story line — it was just too damn depressing. I was warmed by the relationship and how their love lives in small, everyday moments — those parts were really moving and kept me reading. But somehow after Ruth gets sick and comes home – it just got too sad, too real, and as I say – too depressing.
It’s me and my age – not the novel and not the writing. The Heart of Winter gets wonderful reviews and perhaps I should have forged through to the end…but I have other books to read and no obligation to finish a book that is making me miserable.
Plus, this came through from my library holds – so I’m off to return the other book and get my next, hopefully, happier read.
