The Widower’s Tale by Julia Glass
Pantheon • $25.95 • September 7, 2010
In 2002, Julia Glass won the National Book Award for Three Junes, a wonderful novel about Scottish family the McLeods. BookPage contributor Alden Mudge praised an aspect of Glass’s storytelling in his interview with the author: he wrote that the reader will be touched by the “numerous small, brilliantly rendered moments–the gestures, objects and places that suggest the larger dramas in the lives of the McLeod family.”
One of my favorite early scenes from The Widower’s Tale, Glass’s newest novel, is one such moment. In it, 70-year-old Percy Darling, who has been widowed for many years, journeys to The Great Outdoorsman to purchase a bathing suit–a preschool is opening in the barn in his backyard, and he can no longer swim in his pond in the nude. A sales clerk is helping him make his decision. Read the scene below, then tell us: What are you reading today? Will you look for The Widower’s Tale?
“Hmm,” she said. “The pink pineapples would be a daring choice. You would turn heads in that one. . . . The hula girls are actually more conventional.”
I noticed that the pink pineapples (depicted on an aqua background) were indeed quite gaudy but ornamented a suit with a longer cut. Perhaps it would seem irrational to make the demure choice after having swum buck naked for so long, yet such was my preference. “Daring it shall be,” I concluded.
“You won’t regret it.” My handmaiden held out her hand, and I extended mine to shake it. But she was merely reaching for the hangers.
“Silly me,” I said when our hands collided awkwardly. “I thought I was to receive your congratulations. I will have you know that this is the first swimsuit I have purchased since I was in college.”
“Well then, I’m glad you’re headed back to the water,” she said.
I was about to explain my situation to her when I stopped myself. I laughed and shook my head.
“What’s so amusing?” she said.
“I’m having one of those—what youngsters so blithely call ‘a senior moment.’ I thank you for your cordial assistance.”
“A genuine pleasure,” she said, and she seemed to mean it.
At the cash register, I counted out exact change and told her I didn’t need a bag. I also remarked that I had not noticed her working there before.
“I started last month,” she said, “and I’m just part-time.”
“Well, I hope to solicit your sartorial discretion in the future.”
“What a charming thing to say.”
“Likewise,” I told her. “There is a dearth of compliments in the world these days.”
I am currently reading The Girl Who Played with Fire. I will definitely be reading the new Julia Glass book. I loved The Three Junes.
I haven’t read anything by this author yet but certainly will be now! Love that scene you chose. Just a small act in this man’s life but written up so beautifully. Am looking forward to reading more! Thanks.
I’m on the last 100 pages of THE PASSAGE and loving it! Not sure what’s up next… this will be a tough act to follow.
I just finished The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin which was such a beautiful story. I’ll be seeking out add’l titles by Martin, and now, this one by Julia Glass. I just love the delicate and precise language she uses in this selection. That makes me want to read more. Thank you!
You may want to come to hear Charles Martin at Christ Presbyterian Church on Friday night, Oct. 15th at 7:30 p.m. I am re-reading his novels before he comes and finding them even more enjoyable the second time!
Love Julia Glass and I’m excited to see that she has a new book. Will definitely be reading it. Thanks for the excerpt. I’m currently reading Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard, author of Scent of Rain and Lighting. Fabulous author.
I’m currently reading “Crime & Punishment.” I’m considering reading “Cookbook Collector” next. This one sounds interesting. I’ll look into it!
I just finished Waiting To Surface based on a true story. Quite interesting. I will definitely look for The Widowers Tale
Just finished reading “The Heretic’s Daughter” by
Kathleen Kent. Very interesting telling of the
Salem Witch trials.
Just finished Without Reservations: the travels of an independent woman by Alice Steinbach. Excellent book for anyone who’s ever fantasized about picking up and taking off for a foreign country. I love Julia Glass’ books, so I’m really looking for to The Widower’s Tale.
I am currently reading Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer, it is a good book, I have read many of hers.
Right now I am reading The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry. It is getting interesting. I just started it. Then I am going to read Grange House by Sarah Blake (who wrote The Postmistress — very well written. THe detail and imagery is fabulous) I enjoyed The Three Junes but not some of her other books. I will definitely give The Widower’s Tale a try.
I’ve just finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and I’m starting Caught by Harlan (sp) Coben. Will def. add The Widower’s Tale to my “To Read List”.
Just started reading Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffen. Next, I’ll read The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman and after that, The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman. So many books to read…So little
time!
I just started reading “The Hidden Man” by David Ellis.
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I just finished The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paola Giardano- a real literary treat from Italy. I enjoyed The Three Junes and am adding this new one to my list. Also highly recommend The Hunger Games triliogy by Suzanne Collins.
Great review on the book. Will be checking it out.
I love books about relationships. I haven’t read any books by Julia Glass, but I have just added her to my reading list.
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