Publication Date: August 22, 2024
Page count: 285 pages
Elizabeth, a retired librarian, alone and unable to care for herself, is resigned to spending her remaining days in a nursing home.
Not long after her arrival, her vitality is awakened by Cary, a young attendant. Elizabeth discovers that his interests in literature, art and the way of life of a gentler era are in step with hers.
When Cary eyes a framed photo of a young Elizabeth standing with her horse, attractive and vivacious, he is drawn to her as he’s been to no other woman.
Haunted by memories of a domineering mother who forced her into a loveless marriage, she is nevertheless a romantic who still believes in love.
This uncommon liaison leads to a deep devotion that transcends all boundaries. Despite their vast difference in age, Cary’s tender warmth inspires Elizabeth to make a new start in life.
Cary returned with dinner in tow and a small surprise. He found that the table had already been set. An ample green napkin lay beside each white plate.
There was room on the table for the single, long-stemmed red rose that he had brought home for Elizabeth. Removing a narrow, tall vase from the cupboard, he placed the rose in the vase and set it in front of Elizabeth’s place setting.
It was then that Cary noticed that a small green cream pitcher in the center of the table was filled with cilantro. Lit votive candles in green glass holders added to the gracious and relaxing atmosphere. He paused in the middle of the kitchen for a moment, taking it all in.
Elizabeth wheeled herself into the kitchen.
“Wow! This is beautiful, Elizabeth. My only complaint is that you’re supposed to have the night off.”
“I do have the night off, dear, but I also try to maintain certain standards.”
Cary grinned. “I have noticed that, Elizabeth.”
“One simply must, Cary. If one begins eating food from plastic containers—or worse yet—from Styrofoam . . . ” She shuddered at the thought. “Then what’s next?”
Cary frowned to show Elizabeth that he was thinking hard, trying to find the right answer to her rhetorical question. “Let me guess—the downfall of Western civilization?”
“Something like that,” Elizabeth replied, smiling in spite of herself.
Cary proceeded to uncork a dry Vouvray that Elizabeth had chosen. He poured wine into each of the stemmed glasses, carefully placed the bottle on the table so that the label faced Elizabeth, and then sat down to join her.
When Cary was about to pick up his knife and fork, Elizabeth reached across the table and placed her hand on his. “Cary, I adore the rose. Thank you.”
Touching and tender May-December romance.
Certain Sensibilities is a contemporary women’s fiction novel by Sondra Rice Newman that tells the unique and touching love story of a May-December couple. While their age gap is extreme, these two kindred spirits, soulmates, have the courage to build a life together, knowing their time will be short but trying to make every day special and count.
Cary, the young male protagonist, is 34 years old when he meets 89-year-old Elizabeth Gardner, a new resident at the care facility where he works. They share common interests and certain sensibilities that draw them to one another and feel a connection unlike any either has ever experienced is forged. That connection allows them to open up to each other, showing their vulnerabilities, revealing unfulfilled hopes and unmet dreams, and confessing to past failures and indiscretions. Cary missed out on the opportunities to pursue his desired education and career, while Elizabeth regrets losing touch with a girl from her past to whom she feels she owes an apology. Together, they finally work to realize some of those desires.
The story is quiet and gentle and unfolds from both his and her point of view. The comfort they draw from having each other in their life is a joyful and satisfying tale. However, Elizabeth has some health struggles that both know she is not going to overcome, so each outing, conversation, and plan for the future has that knowledge lurking in the background. What begins as a meeting of the minds becomes a deep-felt and tender love. However, while they are as intellectually and emotionally close as a couple can get, their relationship never becomes sexually intimate. The story is a touching and emotionally satisfying treat.
I recommend CERTAIN SENSIBILITIES to readers of women’s
fiction, especially those with an interest in older woman-younger man relationships
and gentle end-of-life stories.
In love with reading since childhood, Sondra began writing poetry early on. She later contributed columns for a weekly newspaper in Ohio.
A native of Michigan, Sondra attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
She brought out her first novel, Silver Dreams, in 2006 (Robert D. Reed Publishers).
Sondra lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, George, a retired newspaper reporter.
We appreciate you reviewing CERTAIN SENSIBILITIES today.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like something I would enjoy. Very different. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt and review!
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