First things first: If you saw the movie and think "I saw the movie why read the book?" then think again. Like most things the movie is nothing like the book, and in this case most of the major storyline was entirely reconstructed (by Michael Cunningham) much to the dismay of Susan Minot. I saw the movie and adored it and reading the book was equally enjoyable and heartwrenching.

I think Evening is my version of a romance novel. The story line is based round Ann who lies in her bed dying of cancer, she's remembering her life while drifting in and out of consciousness. The point of the book for me is the idea that we will all look back at our lives (hopefully not just at the end) and we'll all have regrets, and whatifs, and 'why god why's, and that is all a part of life.

It was a great book, kind of cliche at parts, tons of stream of consciousness moments, but really done and for a purpose. The beauty of the book is not in the love story, it is in Ann's life and the realizations she makes about her life lived while standing at the end of it.