A pleasant, easy to read short novel of topical interest to people "my age". I picked up a copy at my local library and got into it before i left, so I took it with me (after checking it out, of course).
Haruf's latest book, published posthumously, deals with a real question - relationships as life partners leave the scene.
It is written in simple, plain spoken language, and was a joy to read.
( )

It is a nice book, and it grabbed me most of the way. The ending, tho, with one of the two protagonists bailing on her life and happiness, was a big letdown. ( )

The language is sparse but it does not hide the emotions of the two main characters, Addie and Louis. The story is short but loaded, exploring themes such as old age, loneliness, and family. It also explores the theme of happiness, and what one will do to achieve it. If you were Addie, would you dare approach Louis with what seems to be an outrageous proposal? When Addie did so, she decided she is too old (and probably had too little life left) to care about what others thought. However, in the end, she had to yield to her son who objected to their relationship. What would you do if you were in her position? There is no easy choice. ( )

Nosotros en la noche
Kent Haruf
Publicado: 2015 | 113 páginas
Novela Realista

Louis Waters y Addie Moore llevan gran parte de su vida siendo vecinos en la apacible localidad de Holt, en Colorado. Ambos enviudaron hace años y acaban de franquear las puertas de la vejez, por lo que no han tenido otra opción que acostumbrarse a estar solos, sobre todo en las horas más difíciles, después del anochecer. Pero Addie no está dispuesta a conformarse. Un día, de forma insospechada pero con toda naturalidad, se planta ante la puerta de su vecino y le suelta: «Me preguntaba si querrías venir alguna vez a casa a dormir conmigo.» Al principio se sienten extraños, pero noche tras noche irán conociéndose: hablan de su juventud y sus matrimonios, de sus esperanzas pasadas y sus miedos presentes, de sus logros, de sus fracasos. La intimidad entre ambos va creciendo y, a pesar de las habladurías de los vecinos y la incomprensión de sus propios hijos, no tardan en vislumbrar la posibilidad real de pasar juntos el resto de sus días. Nosotros en la noche es una pequeña joya escondida: una historia concisa, conmovedora, agridulce y al mismo tiempo inspiradora, y está narrada con la sabiduría reveladora que solo poseen aquellos que han llegado a una edad en la que lo que menos importa es la opinión de los demás.

This novella is a gentle story of a late-life romance. Widowed Addie approaches widower Louis with an unexpected request: could he come around at night and relieve her loneliness by sleeping with her, platonically. Louis agrees, not without demurral. The two start to form a cautious bond, which deepens when Addie's son Gene leaves her grandson with him while he tries to repair his troubled marriage.

This relationship scandalises some, which forces the two to face up to the consequences of what they are doing; even as elderly single people, their lives are not entirely their own and past reputations are never quite forgotten.

A simple story, well-told. I enjoyed it. ( )