Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout

 

The small New England town of West Arnett is not sure what to make of their minister.  When Tyler Caskey arrived with his family, the congregation couldn't believe their luck.  He was a large man, full of love for his God and fellow man and was a breath of fresh air after their last minister who had grown old in his job.  The congregation wasn't as sure about Tyler's wife as ministers' wives shouldn't be that beautiful but came to like her.

But things have changed.  Tyler's wife had become ill and died, leaving him with two young daughters to raise.  The youngest was just a baby and is living with his mother, coming to visit on the weekends.  Katherine, his older daughter, is not speaking or at least not at school.  But she is screaming, and writing notes about how she hates her teacher.  Tyler is called into the school but refuses to believe that his daughter is anything but a grieving child.  

The teacher starts it.  She is upset that Tyler didn't take her word for his daughter's condition and tells her friends he was rude to her.  Then the organist becomes angry that Tyler won't support her wish for a new organ or that he doesn't follow up when she comes to him for counseling.  Soon the town is abuzz with rumors about him and when he finds out, the grief he has suppressed takes him over and he is unsure if he can remain in such a place as this.

Elizabeth Strout writes books set in her native New England which delves into relationships and how people manage to get through life with all its disappointments and blows.  Her work has won awards such as the Pulitzer and Orange Prize.  While her writing is spare with no added flourishes, it lays bare the human emotions and small kindnesses that allow us to get through life.  This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.