Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I entered Mory's for the opening reception of the 2015 Yale Writer's Conference. Not immediately seeing any friends, I walked into the front bar and got in line for a beer. Another man looking around caught my eye and came over. He asked a question about the dinner. I answered and then introduced myself. He responded, "I'm Colm Toibin."

I've never read a book that conveyed so much with such spare language. Without flourish he sets scenes, describes complete characters, and develops a compelling plot.

Nora Webster is grieving her husband's death. Anyone who has experienced mid-life death in the immediate family will recognize the amusing and sad situations Nora faces.

A great book.

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