Three Legs in the Evening: A Novel

Three Legs in the Evening is a novel that explores the unreliable nature of received wisdom and the unexpected ways in which life can change. It follows the story of Sally B, an over-sixty widow who faces a series of personal setbacks and discovers love and solace in the face of horror.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2023
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Three Legs in the Evening is a novel that draws inspiration from the Sphinx's riddle in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, in which Oedipus is asked about the creature that walks on all fours in the morning, on two legs in the afternoon, and three in the evening. The answer, which Oedipus correctly guesses, is that it is Man, who crawls as a baby, walks upright as an adult, and eventually leans on a cane in old age. This narrative highlights the unreliability of received wisdom and introduces the story of Sally B, an over-sixty widow nearing retirement from her successful greeting card business following the events of 9/11. She is surrounded by a devoted family who relies on her wit and wisdom. However, a series of unfortunate events unfold, including the death of her best friend, a fall into an open grave, and a broken ankle. Amidst this turmoil, Sally's children's marital lives are unraveling, her grandchildren are experiencing difficulties, and a man from her past resurfaces in her life. Spanning over a year, the novel explores the themes of love and resilience in the face of horror. It delves into the profound ways in which everything Sally thought she knew changes, and how individuals find solace and wisdom even in the face of finality. Three Legs in the Evening is a captivating and poignant tale that resembles Kent Haruf's Our Souls at Night, exploring themes of exhaustion, time constraints, and the search for meaning and comfort in the face of adversity.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803412061