Abide with Me

by Sabin Willett

In this novel inspired by Wuthering Heights, a small town bad boy forged by the fires of Afghanistan returns home, still burning with a romantic obsession nothing can quench.

As the fog lifts one morning, a lone soldier is walking home. Who is he? The sleepy, gossipy tow of Hoosick Bridge, Vermont had forgotten him, but it will soon remember. He is Roy Murphy, returning to face his violent, complicated reputation as the bad boy from the “Park.” Returning to Emma Herrick, descendant of Hoosick’s Bridge’s first family, who occupies its grandest, now decaying, house: The Heights.

Their intense and unlikely adolescent romance provided scandalous gossip for the town, especially after Emma’s father brought disgrace and tragedy to the family. The young lovers escaped Hoosick Bridge, but Emma remained Roy’s obsession long after they parted ways. Now Roy returns from Afghanistan a changed and extraordinary man who will stop at nothing to obtain a piece of the Herrick’s legacy.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Retellings

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Peter Sabin Willett, known as Sabin Willett, (born March 6, 1957) is an American lawyer and novelist, a partner with the Boston law firm Bingham McCutchen, previously called Bingham Dana. He lives near Boston, Massachusetts. His is perhaps best known as a defense lawyer for U.S. prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detainment camp, including Adil Abdulhakim.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. What girl doesn't love a bad boy in high school? (Or in later years, for that matter) He's the one that will tear at your heart strings' memory long after you've grown up.... and wondered "what if"
This book caught my eye the second I read that it is Sabin Willett's reinterpretation of Withering Heights, one of my top ten all time favorite books that I've ever read. And I watched the movie several times and it is weoll done.
Roy is a boy who grew up in the trailer park and Emma comes from the home known as The Heights to all townsfolk. Everyone knows her family and they are important, you know.
Emma and Roy hang out as kids and no one thinks much of it. Then there is the summer when she is 17 and no one can stop the love affair between these two. It is an unquenchable thirst that neither can satisfy.
Well, thank goodness she is going away to college, her mother thinks. That will take care of this. Distant from each other, she in college and he, in the military; life does indeed go on for each of them. But a fire smolders on the backburners of their hearts, unknown to each. Out of sight, out of mind. Time to grow up...
War is serious business. If you don't have your mind totally on what you're doing, you could very well lose your life and that of your comrads. That what Roy was always telling the men he lived with while he was over in Afghanistan. You got your mind on that girl, worrying about what's going on back home, you don't have your head in the here and now, where it's needed. So, no one heard from Roy the whole time he was away.
He came back into town thinking about Emma and wondering what her life was like. Before he left, she gave him a button on a chain that he wore around his neck. It was a good luck charm, as it had been for the soldier who it belonged to. Her grandfather's button had saved his life when a bullet smashed the button and missed him.
He drove by The Heights and a party was in full swing. Emma's engagement party to George, whom she had met in college. He returns the button, saying it was just a loan. She cries out that it had been a gift.
And so, the dance begins again. More details? Read the book!

[Karen Schwind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abide with Me, Sabin Willett's fourth novel, tells the story of Roy Murphy, a boy from the Park--as in trailer--who falls in love with Emma Herrick, the beautiful daughter of an old-money family living in a mansion called the Heights in Hoosick Bridge, Vermont. After what Emma calls a summer interlude with Roy, she goes to Yale while he goes to Afghanistan. Much of the novel is told as back story moving between Roy, Emma and the townspeople who watch them come together, fall apart and come back together over the course of their lives.

When Roy, dark and intense, returns from the war, he starts what becomes a highly successful lawn maintenance business, while Emma, married and living in New York, endures the financial ruin of her family, brought about by her father. But no matter where they live or what they do, they are drawn to each other and to the Heights like moths to the proverbial flame. The novel gets everything but the kitchen sink in, including a mad woman, a drunken ex-soldier, an illegal immigrant who gets sent home, a family legend, a spoiled rich girl, and the gossips in the diner. But just when I think Willett's language is too hokey or the storyline too improbable for me to continue, he returns to Afghanistan, and when he does, his prose becomes sharp and beautiful, manly, as he writes about relationships between men who are soldiers. By the time he gets me back to Hoosick Bridge, I'm turning pages so quickly that I can't put the book down.

For more, see http://www.skoobpress.com/

[Illyria Nightshade · Rating 1 out of 5]

There really should be an "attempted to read" category, when it comes to books like this. Touted as a modern-day retelling of Wuthering Heights I was intrigued to say the least, as Emily Bronte's classic masterpiece is still a personal favorite (both in book and several film versions). Roy Murphy (the equivalent of the beloved brooding Heathcliff) is nothing like his sensual 18th century counterpart. I didn't even read much into the story of Emma (the equivalent of Cathy) because, quite honestly, after giving the book almost 80 pages I was so bored I was falling asleep. The story flips back and forth between Roy's time in Afghanistan and his return to the town where he and Emma grew up together. The only correlation between Roy/Emma and their (far more engaging) classic counterparts is the bad-boy/rich good girl dichotomy. I was extremely disappointed and will not be picking up her next novel "Cornerstone" (also in the vein of Heights) as a direct result. She spends way to much time on the battlefield and not nearly enough time on the focus of the story (the tortured love affair between the two main characters). I think I will just stick with the classic, brooding wins out over boring every time, at least in my reading chair.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabin is a friend, so ... I liked this book, a lot. Kind of an old-fashioned novel, war, valor, young love, good plotting, unusual denouement, good writing. Reminded me of the slightly different, arguably better, lovely-but-not-above-criticism "Early from the Dance" by David Payne. If you are into the classical values, this book is for you .. I think Sabin may have delivered his class day oration in Latin, unsure abt this. I know he hangs out in Pownal, Vt, where a lot if this book is set (as "Hoosick") and he does a good job mining that interesting NW corner of Massachusetts where it meets Vermont. I got a distinctive Ernie Hebert vibe, intended as a compliment, but I'm not sure people really remember or value EH's NH novels. For you NPR lefties, Sabin (you shd google him) is one the white-shoe lawyers who worked on Guantanamo cases. He famously freed the Uighur prisoners, so the CIA could dump (some of) them in Albania, where -- well, let's just say: Guantanamo or a bullet in the back of the head? Not, in fact, a Hobson's choice.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have found some authors that never disappoint; Sabin Willett is not one of those. Prior to this one I have read three of his. I gave the first two five stars and the third one fell to one. O.K. I thought, at 2 to 1 the odds are in my favor; wrong. It is the story of a young American army veteran who has just returned home following a tour in Afghanistan. After that the story line falls steadily on the happy meter. This is a grim, dark tale full of characters I didn't like and wouldn't want to associate with.

[Martha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library shelf because of the cover. Everybody loves a good storybook ending, and I kept hoping, even though I knew the inspiration behind the story would likely kill my expectation. A boy with a troubled past, no one to stand beside him except for a love that would be forbidden, found his solace in the order and "leave no one behind" standard of the military. The last chance of a life with his one love swept away by the heroic attempt to save someone else's life was classic gothic romance.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depth of this story crept up on you. Still thinking about it and the ramifications of various relationships. So important to have significant others in your life. Parents, lovers, captains, bosses. And the damage that can be done by them as well.

[Hawley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a really nice cover, that's the only positive comment I can think of to say.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written. Sad, though.

[Reid Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading again

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story, but all the 'I seen's and 'could of's were distracting and unnecessary to get the point across.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark but moving.

[Barbara Harmonay armiento · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of a soldier who fights in Afghanistan, and then returns to his home in Vermont, trying to adjust to life after war. There is strong character development.

[Brandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF- I tried really hard to get into this book, but it just wasn't for me.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall Abide with Me by Sabin Willett was a nice change from the usual "romance" novel. Written by a man, it focuses on the young life of Roy Murphy, a dark, passionate, quiet young man who was born on "the wrong side of the tracks" but falls in love with the most beautiful, intelligent and prominent young woman in town. They first become friends in the summer of seventh grade; then later get together for a hot summer of romance and passion the year Emma Herrick graduates from high school and before she enters Yale. Meanwhile, Roy has barely graduated (we later learn he's dyslexic), so he joins the army and is off to Afghanistan. A lot of the story takes place at Roy's outpost in Afghanistan - it's where he becomes a man and learns what having a brother truly means. Captain Dickinson is in charge of this band of brothers and shows himself to be an extraordinary leader - he understands his men like no other and sees what makes them tick; he realizes that Roy is dyslexic and basically teaches him to read. He also shares with him some of the poetry and classic literature that has inspired his life and in turn lights Roy's flame to become a better man. When Roy is discharged, he returns to Hoosick Bridge, Vermont (his hometown), confronts Emma during her engagement party and begins to set up a very successful landscaping business. I found the novel very good up to this point and really enjoyed the chapters that take place in Afghanistan. However, once back home, the story began to spiral almost into a "John Irvingish" novel - weird characters doing weird things and causing events to spin out of control. It was not for me, anyway, a satisfying ending to a book that had a lot of promise particularly for Roy who was the most well painted character.

[Sierra Ferrante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Murphy and Emma Herrick had a forbidden love forged by a childhood friendship that blossomed into so much more. As teenagers the love was powerful and romantic and troubled - Roy came from the wrong side of town and Emma's family could never approve. When Emma goes off to college and Roy goes off to war, her parents heave a sigh of relief at the end to the romance, but to Roy his past romance is a light he holds onto. As they part, Emma hands Roy a chain with a good luck charm on it to keep him safe. Just a little something she thought he might want to hold onto. She insists it's a gift, but he tells her it's a loan and he will bring it back.

The distance and the trauma he sees only ignites his desire to be with Emma further. The distance for Emma, however is a new beginning. Roy explains how oversees the guys have to focus completely on the war. A slip up can mean life or death and he wasn't one to focus on emails. He promised her he would come back and he did. Emma, however, has moved on. She's engaged and planning a wedding with George.

The return home is tough for Roy, but not nearly as tough as Emma pushing him away. Roy is determined to get her back, but Emma is equally determined to let the past go. Will love win over all obsticles or is the past all he will have to remember?

This book is a beautifully written love story with a mix of war, small town characters, and a dynamic plot. It's a story that will grip your heart and lead you on an adventure.

disclosure: I won a copy of this book on goodreads, but the views are my own.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not really sure what I want to say about Abide with Me. Going in, I knew that it was a retelling of Wuthering Heights and that I was in for a tragic love story.

I knew the main character was a returning war veteran but I didn’t realize how much the war was going to play a part in this book. As a military brat I was fairly familiar with the military jargon and etc but certain details were a little bothersome since I currently have a family member deployed. I personally devoured this book but I wonder if someone without military ties would feel the same.

The book was a little hard to follow at first with the shifting perspectives but once I got the hang of it, I was fine. I thought the way the author weaved the characters and plot together to bring the classic into a modern setting was pretty successful. I wanted to root for the characters more though. I definitely did in the beginning and even upon Roy’s initial return from the war but there was something holding me back. I guess I just didn’t totally buy Emma’s reasons for pushing him away.

With all that said though, if you are a fan of Wuthering heights or tortured love stories, I think you should give this one a shot.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recieved this as a first-reads giveaway. Thank you for the chance to read and review. I hate to give a not so great review to a gift but that's just how this one has to be.

This is a retelling of Wuthering Heights. Unlike the classic this one is hard to follow. The dialog in the begining is the worst. Very hard to understand and almost impossible to follow. We don't know whats going on at all for the first quarter of the book. Very choppy. Even the last few pages at the end leave you wondering what just happened and what it was supposed to mean.

Roy (Heathcliff) was serving in Afghanistan before he returned to to town. We get flashbacks of his time there and with that we hear alot of how his fellow soldiers spoke, and it's probably pretty realistic but I didn't want to read that. Tons of bad language and lots of "F" bombs. Almost more time was spent on these flashbacks then on the story line itself.

All in all I could've overlooked some of the little stuff but all rolled up in one I'd have to say this is just a difficult book to read. Again, sorry for such a harsh review, but there ya have it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book had a somewhat original plot line that didn't completely give in to the typical boy meets girl story. However, it felt like the author was purposefully avoiding some of those cliches so adamantly that the story sometimes felt forced and awkward. I the ending with the fire was one of the strongest elements of the story because of how it was told via the testimony of others. I like how it vindicated Roy of many of others' misconceptions. However, I felt like the rest of the story took a long time to get to that climax without giving the reader too many hints about how it was all going to fit together and matter (yes there was foreshadowing that something was going to happen but not that all those other pieces would matter so much). I'm not sure if this makes sense; I'm trying not to give too much away!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abide With Me is the tragic love story of Roy and Emma - Roy, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who's just come home from Afghanistan, and Emma, the girl who had it all, the beautiful star of Hoosick Bridge's first family. I loved this book, every single aspect of it - from the middle school forbidden romance, through a war laced with poetry, back home again, near and far, together and apart. I've seen this book touted as a modern-day Wuthering Heights, which I've never read. And now I'll never need to, after reading Abide With Me. Highly, highly recommended!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because it looked like a good option, then realized that it is a modern take on Wuthering Heights. The gothic elements are pretty strong (almost overpowering), and as is true in most gothic literature, the force of the dark characters is nearly overwhelming. The good is too good, and the bad is too bad. But, the author adds both enough twists and suspense to make it very readable.

However, she overuses similes and metaphors so much it is oddly distracting. No really. It's weird. Even if you weren't an English teacher, by page 100, you'd wonder...

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly captivating and original story without dwelling too long on anything that would have become boring or unpleasant to read. Manages to portray a vet from Afghanistan, complete with illustrations of the time he served overseas, without turning into a war novel. I didn't realize this was a "reinterpretation of Wuthering Heights" until I read the back cover when I was about halfway done with it - I only wish I had read Wuthering Heights first (I hang my head in shame at never having read it, I know) so I could appreciate the comparisons or parallels.

[Jessica Mixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! I think the narration style was my favorite part. Although hard to follow at moments, I loved the language, the pace, the flashback within flashback within flashback, the flawed characters, everything. It almost felt like prose from a poem. Also, am I pulling at straws or did he name characters after the Brontë sisters and other authors from that time? Heartbreaking at times but great story. Loved it.

[KellBrouillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Roy Murphy is a soldier serving in Afghanistan who returns home in pursuit of the girl he left behind. That one-line description in no way does the story justice! There is so much more to this story and it's characters. I found it to be full of suspense and intrigue, along with the romantic elements of a heartbreaking love story. I loved everything about this one, from beginning to end. Couldn't put it down! Highly recommend.

[Mom Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read and like wuthering Heights you will like this book it is a tragic love story of love, pain, hurt and how if we are not careful in our fight to make everything right we make everything miserable for us and the people around us. there is no room in life for revenge, or turn back the clock. we have to move forward the best we can and see the good.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

i wasn't really feeling this book, maybe at some other time I will try to read it again but it was jumping around so much i was not enjoying it. I don't want to say this book is bad, just that it wasn't my style, at least not right now.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get the reference to Wuthering Heights until the end of the book... it read like a Nicholas Sparks novel yet I couldn't help getting caught up in the love story...would recommend it for that. Also the poetic references.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very complicated! I was rooting for Roy the whole time.. that love and life would find him and he would get the peace he deserves... his hard work, fairness, perseverance, longing was endearing.

[Brandy the bibliophage · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wish there was a "tried to read" option for books. That's where I would have filed this one. I just couldn't get into this book, and I really wanted to. The story just jumped around to much from the present, to the past, to other people's perspective. I just couldn't keep up.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into this book - it jumped all around and was hard to follow. Basically, bad boy falls in love with town sweetheart. Joins army, and make good. Dies before he can win back the girl. Sigh!