I was just a few pages into Lee Martin’s The Evening Shades when I felt its similarities to Kent Haruf’s Our Souls at Night. And if you’re like me, that’s all I’ll need to say to make you add this to your TBR list.
At the outset, The Evening Shades is a quiet love story of two people who have already lived much of their lives. Henry Dees is attempting to drive out of his life, escaping a horrible tragedy and, though not guilty, the culpability he feels for his part in how it all unfolded. He crosses the state line and ends up in Mt. Gilead, Illinois, where he meets Edith Green, who invites him to rent a room in her home.
Back in Tower Hill, Indiana, a little girl that Henry tutored has been murdered, and the man responsible for her death disappeared immediately after making bail. With Henry also gone, he’s left the small town wondering what he might have to hide.
Widowed and searching for purpose in her small town, Edith makes an impulsive pledge to the local library—one that leaves her even more anxious about the secret she’s hiding. When she offers Henry a room to rent in her home, the whole town takes notice—especially a local would-be suitor who is determined to play spoiler to the budding romance.
Together, Henry and Edith find the companionship both are longing for. They begin to confide in one another, unburdening themselves from the secrets they each carry.
Told from multiple perspectives, including a chorus-like voice representing the community, Martin’s The Evening Shades weaves a compelling story with characters you can’t help but care about. The two small towns that form its setting are just as vivid and familiar as the people who live there.
I haven’t read Martin’s The Bright Forever, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize that introduces the character of Henry Dees, but I definitely will go back and pick this one up.
Verdict: Highly recommend
Questions for Discussion
(Questions may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.)
Henry justifies his actions toward Katie by comparing his feelings to those of a father. Is this a valid defense? Why or why not?
Henry calls himself a coward when speaking to Edith. Do you agree with his assessment? Why or why not?
When describing himself to Tom Evers, Henry says he has “the twisted heart of a man who all his life had lived outside the circle of light that most of you enjoy.” What do you think he means by this?
The novel’s use of a communal/chorus narrator echoes Greek theater. In what ways does this resemble or differ from a classic Greek tragedy? Is the chorus effective? Why or why not?
Many characters in The Evening Shades extend grace to others. Who offers grace, and who withholds it? Are there instances where grace seems misplaced?
The Evening Shades is set in 1972. How might the story unfold differently if set in the present day? Given those differences, which version would be more just?
I was provided an Advance Reader Copy of The Evening Shades by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Evening Shades will be available beginning March 25, 2025.
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