As part of our Best Books of 2010 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list.
This year, BookPage readers have been vocal about their love for Julia Glass, either by commenting on a What We’re Reading Wednesday post back in July or on a Monday Contest post in September.
And why wouldn’t you love this talented author?
First of all, it’s hard not to root for a writer who wins the National Book Award with her debut novel at age 46 and dedicates her award to “everybody who blooms late in life, whether you’re a writer or anything else because you never, never know.”
Then there is the writing itself. I could go on and on about Three Junes and Glass’s other books, but today is about The Widower’s Tale, her newest novel.
The heart of the story, 70-year-old Percy Darling, just might be the feistiest and funniest grandfather I’ve ever read. The story starts as a “progressive preschool” moves into the barn in Percy’s backyard—a move that catapults a series of changes in Percy’s life (including his first love since his wife’s death 30 years before). Rounding out the main characters are Percy’s 20-year-old pre-med grandson, an undocumented lawn-care worker and a gay preschool teacher. You’ll have to read the book to learn how their stories intersect, but just know that the book is witty and heartbreaking, suspenseful and romantic, charming and unexpected—yet always true to life.
This is a novel I would share with my mom, my sister, my best friend. I truly did not want it to end, and neither will you.
Read my interview with Julia Glass about The Widower’s Tale here.
This book was highlighted in our BookPage Best of 2010: #11-15 list—look for the Top 10 in the next edition of BookPageXTRA.
Which book from our list is your favorite?
