EMILY, ALONE - Rings Close to Home

The author for the novel EMILY, ALONE,  Stewart O'Nan, has received the Faulkner Prize for SNOW ANGEL and the Heinz Lit. Prize for his short story collection; IN the WALLED CITY.  O'Nan drew me into his novel about aging gracefully and looking back on one's life.  Admittedly, I thought this book might be geared for the geriatric set but I soon realized that this is a story we can all relate to; either having an elderly parent or with the understanding that this is the path we all will take should we be blessed to reach old age.  Emily, a widow, lives alone except for her loyal companion, her dog Rufus.  Both her son & daughter who have long since moved away from home with children of their own.  Emily tries to fill her lonely days and desperately waits for calls and visits from her family.  Emily also has her spinsiter sister-in-law, Arlene, for better or worse, who look out for each other.  "Though they all lived alone, and preferred to, they were all worried about one another equally."  I grew to care for Emily despite her self-righteousness because so much of what she did or thought was touching and meaningful.  "At her age, it was dangerous to think the past was all she had, her life already defined, when every day was another chance."  I'm going to call my mom and tell her to read this book and how much I think she'll enjoy it.