Evensong
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 9
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 9
By: Stewart O'Nan
Narrator: Nancy Linari
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9780802166432
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Atlantic Monthly Press
Publication Date: 11/11/2025
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC)
“Stewart O’Nan has been one of the best chroniclers of the lives of American women.” – Susan Straight
An intimate, moving novel that follows The Humpty Dumpty Club, a group of women of a certain age who band together to help one another and their circle of friends in Pittsburgh as they face the challenges of their golden years
The Humpty Dumpty Club is distraught when their powerhouse leader, Joan Hargrove, takes a bad fall down her stairs, knocking her out of commission. Now, as well as running errands and shepherding those less able to their doctors’ appointments, they have to pick up the slack.
Between navigating their own relationships and aging bodies and attending choir practice, these invisible yet indomitable women help where they can. They bake cookies, they care for pets, they pick up prescriptions, they sit vigil by the sick, and most of all, they show up for the people they’ve pledged to help. In the face of death, divorce, and the myriad directions our lives can take, the Humpty Dumpty club represents the power of community and chosen family.
Weaving together the perspectives of the four cardinal members as they tend to those in need, Stewart O’Nan revisits beloved characters from his past work -- most notably Emily Maxwell -- to fashion a rich and moving novel that celebrates our capacity for patience and care. Vivid, warm, and often wryly funny, Evensong reminds us that life is made up of moments both climactic and quotidian, and we weather those moments with the people we choose to keep close.
My Review
Bestselling author Stewart O'Nan returns with a poignant and heartfelt narrative, EVENSONG. This beautifully crafted novel centers around a vibrant and resilient group of senior women living in an independent senior community in their golden years in Pittsburgh, affectionately known as the "Humpty Dumpty Club."
Through the tapestry of their lives, O'Nan artfully captures the myriad ways these remarkable women uplift and support one another, navigating the complexities of aging, the challenges of disabilities, the reality of illness, and the pain of loss. The story is a tribute to friendship, community, and the enduring spirit of those who refuse to be defined by their struggles.
About...
The story follows the four main members of the Humpty Dumpty Club as they navigate their lives while supporting their community. A series of events tests their resilience and strengthens their bonds.
The Humpty Dumpty Club's mission:
The club's activities, such as running errands and visiting the sick, underscore the importance of community service.
A fall:
The central event occurs when the wise leader, Joan Hargrove, falls and becomes incapacitated, forcing the other members to take on her responsibilities.
Revisiting Emily Maxwell:
Fans will enjoy seeing Emily Maxwell, a character from "Emily, Alone" and "Henry, Himself," as she reflects (widowed from her husband, Henry) on her twilight years while being a key member of the club along with three other women—her sister-in-law, Arlene (artist), and their friends Kitzi (married and taking over leadersip for Joan) and Susie (the youngest and divorced).
Navigating aging and loss:
Set from late 2022 to early 2023, the plot illustrates the women's acceptance of aging and loss with dignity.
Challenges within the club:
Joan's fall creates interpersonal conflicts, particularly a power struggle involving her daughter and the youngest member, Susie, who feels the pressure of expectations.
Individual struggles:
The novel explores personal challenges, such as Arlene’s memory loss and Emily’s voiced concerns during meetings, among other issues.
The power of chosen family:
Despite setbacks, the women emerge as a chosen family, highlighting their commitment and care for one another.
Pittsburgh setting:
Grounded in Pittsburgh, the story emphasizes modesty, history, and blue-collar roots, enriching the portrayal of community.
My Thoughts...
The women of the "Humpty Dumpty Club" embody an extraordinary kind of resilience. Confronted by their personal struggles, they not only persevere but also uplift one another, discovering strength in their shared purpose.
The novel poignantly captures their quiet endurance, emphasizing their refusal to allow pity to cloud their spirits. Instead, they focus on their remarkable ability to adapt and continue moving forward despite the physical and emotional challenges life throws their way.
The title "Evensong" in Stewart O'Nan's novel resonates with both literal and symbolic significance, especially as it relates to the themes of community and the characters' stages of life.
At its core, the title serves as a profound metaphor for life's final chapter. The narrative revolves around a group of elderly women, predominantly widows, residing in a retirement community as they navigate the intricacies of aging, loss, and the inevitable decline of their bodies.
"Evensong," therefore, symbolizes the twilight of their existence—a time ripe for reflection, for cherishing memories, and for seeking peace as their days gradually come to an end. Moreover, "Evensong" evokes the serene image of an evening church service that occurs as the sun sets. This ritual, steeped in contemplation and gratitude, mirrors the tranquil tone of O'Nan's poignant novel.
Structurally, the novel operates like a "choir" of voices, weaving together the perspectives of four main characters. Their strength multiplies as they converge, illustrating the power of unity.
The author’s prose is a lyrical celebration of these characters’ capacity for patience, tenderness, and care in the face of life’s myriad difficulties. Their simple yet profound acts—running errands, visiting the sick, and steadfastly "showing up" for one another—form a metaphorical "river of prayer," a sustaining lifeline that threads them together.
O'Nan skillfully delves into a tapestry of significant themes within this aging community: hoarding, memory loss, the nurturing of beloved pets, the harsh reality of mortality, the confrontation with death and physical decline, as well as faith, spirituality, caregiving, responsibility, and the dynamics of family ties, including the concept of "chosen" family.
In summary, the title "EVENSONG" encapsulates the novel's gentle, reflective tone and its profound exploration of a community of older women who seek meaning, comfort, and grace during the final, shared moments of their lives.
O'Nan eloquently and gently reminds us that life is woven from a rich tapestry of "climactic and quotidian" moments. The novel beautifully discovers profound meaning within the simple, everyday routines of life, asserting that these seemingly mundane experiences, and the relationships we cultivate along the way, are what truly hold value.
Recs...
EVENSONG is recommended for enthusiasts of the author (I am a big fan) and readers who cherish narratives centered on the themes of later life, aging, and the wisdom that accompanies it. This novel is a treasure trove.
Those captivated by the quiet strength of community will find like-minded stories in the works of Frederick Backman, Elizabeth Strout, Elizabeth Berg, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Jan Karon, Kent Haruf, and Maeve Binchy. These authors transport readers into heartwarming tales of seemingly ordinary individuals creating powerful connections within their golden years and community.
Special thanks to Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for graciously providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 11, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
On a personal note:
As a senior single female living in an independent senior community in Florida, I found great resonance with the nuggets of wisdom and wit that flow through the pages. Aging is indeed a challenging journey, and we cannot do all the things we have done in the past with limitations. Especially for strong independent women who may be single, widows, or have grown children scattered across the country. Admitting the need for help can feel daunting. Often, it feels more comfortable to turn to friends—our chosen family—rather than our own relatives who live far away. Dignity and grace are powerful words in this age range.
As a passionate book reader, reviewer, influencer, graphic/web designer, and blogger, I spend much of my time immersed in creative work, finding solace in my own company, which I enjoy as an introvert. Yet, I recognize that many within this group struggle to fill their days, with disabilities, relying heavily on their faith, friendships, and community support for connection and purpose. Oftentimes, seniors living independently must rely on the kindness of friends, neighbors, and sometimes, even strangers.
Praise
O’Nan’s brilliantly rendered characters refuse to be pitied, matter-of-factly accepting loss and physical decline as they go about their days quietly sustained by their faith and commitment to service. Unsentimental yet deeply moving: more wonderful work from the versatile, masterful O’Nan.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Fans of Kent Haruf’s Our Souls at Night and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive, Again will appreciate the dignity O’Nan affords his characters as they navigate both the dramatic and the mundane moments in their lives.
—Booklist (starred review)
“O’Nan once again finds extraordinary resonance in the lives of ordinary people…[He] proves that he has no peers when it comes to evoking the quotidian challenges and routines of daily life. It’s a bittersweet celebration of the twilight years.”
—Publishers Weekly
“What a great writer is Stewart O’Nan, and Evensong is one of his best: A beautifully structured, wonderfully nuanced story of a quartet of women negotiating friendships, rivalries, cats and dogs, frailty, and even new love as they slide into old age. This portrait of the so-called golden years displays O’Nan’s unmatchable talent for imbuing even the smallest moment with humor and sympathy. Excellent and unforgettable.”
—Kate Walbert, author of The Sunken Cathedral, Our Kind, and His Favorites
“Stewart O’Nan has been one of the best chroniclers of the lives of American women.”
— Susan Straight
About the Author
Stewart O’Nan’s award-winning fiction includes Snow Angels, A Prayer for the Dying, Last Night at the Lobster, and Emily, Alone. Granta named him one of America’s Best Young Novelists. He lives in Pittsburgh. WEBSITE
