Anne Tyler: American Author Challenge 2016

"Anne Tyler was born on October 25, 1941, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was raised by Quaker parents. While at Duke University, she studied with writer Reynolds Price. She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, short story writer, and literary critic. She has published 20 novels, the best known of which are Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (1983), The Accidental Tourist (1985), and Breathing Lessons (1988). All three were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with Breathing Lessons winning the prize for 1989. She recently made the short list for the Booker Prize, for A Spool of Blue Thread.
"Her subject in all her novels has been the American family and marriage: the boredom and exasperating irritants endured by partners, children, siblings, parents; the desire for freedom pulling against the tethers of attachments and conflicted love; the evolution over time of familial love and sense of duty. Tyler celebrates unremarkable Americans and the ordinary details of their everyday lives. Because of her style and subject matter, she has been compared to John Updike, to Jane Austen, and to Eudora Welty, among others."

**This is part of our American Author Challenge 2016. This author will be read in January. The general discussion thread can be found right here:

Not up yet. LOL.

Welcome my bookish friends, to 2016!! The Launch!

My introduction to Ms. Tyler, was The Accidental Tourist, which I read in the late 80s, before the film version came out. I was smitten and it remains my favorite of her work. (BTW: the film is excellent too!) I have read 5 of her novels including, her latest A Spool of Blue Thread. This time around, I will finally be reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, which I have had on my To-Read list for years.

Has anyone read any of her earliest work? I have rarely heard any of them mentioned and there were nearly 10 early books.

Looking forward tot the start of a new AAC!

I am planning to read Breathing Lessons and maybe one other. I have a few of her earlier works on my shelf, as well as a few of her more well known ones. Certainly not at a loss for choice...

I have previously read The Accidental Tourist and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, both of which I liked very much.

Heh! Someone just left A Spool of Blue Thread today in my Little Free Library! How can I not read it this month? :)

I received A Spool of Blue Thread via Santa Thing last week so I'll read that one.

I love Anne Tyler! Oh no...I am getting sucked back into the AAC!! Mark!

I've read just about all of her books, beginning a long time ago with Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and then Accidental Tourist - which I still think are among her best. I just ordered A Spool of Blue Thread which should be here before New Year's. Just an FYI, she lives here in "Balmur", probably a mile or two from my house but she doesn't give interviews or book talks anywhere and I've never run into her at the grocery store.

Hmm...what to read?

Here's what I have read and how I rate them:

Loved:
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (my favorite)
Digging to America

Just OK:
A Spool of Blue Thread

Forgettable:
Back When We Were Grownups

Hated:
The Accidental Tourist
Earthly Possessions

I have a few Tyler books in my TBR stacks, but I am hoping to read The Amateur Marriage in January.

I also plan to read A Spool of Blue Thread next month.

Anne Tyler is one of my favorite authors. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant remains my favorite. I will re read this one first.

Thanks for the wonderful description opening the thread.

>12 Whisper1: Glad you'll be joining us, Linda! I am excited about finally reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

I'll be reading The Beginner's Goodbye.

Reading Anne Tyler is like coming back to an old friend! I'll try to read either The Amateur Marriage, or A Spool of Blue Thread.

I'm also new to the AAC.

I read a lot of Anne Tyler once upon a time. I think my favorite of her earlier works was Saint Maybe. I also enjoyed The Accidental Tourist, Earthly Possessions, Searching for Caleb, Morgan's Passing, Breathing Lessons, and The Amateur Marriage long before LT. I think I read Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, but am not entirely certain about that. More recently, I read Ladder of Years and Digging to America, and was less impressed with those than some of the earlier novels. I have The Beginner's Goodbye and Noah's Compass unread on my shelves. January may be a good time for me to read Noah's Compass, as I, like its main character, will be moving into a new phase of my life...a somewhat earlier-than-planned retirement.

Hmm, what to read. I remember loving The Accidental Tourist (eons ago) and I recently very much enjoyed A Spool of Blue Thread. I think I read some others in between but don't have much recall. Perhaps, based on Linda's comments above, I will get a copy of Saint Maybe from the library.
Although, the other Linda said that Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is her favorite....

Decisions, decisions.

I'm new to Anne Tyler, and will be reading Breathing Lessons, which I've had on the tbr for a few years and will help me hit two birds with one book, as I'll also be trying to take in a number of Pulitzer winners in the coming year.

I have only ever read one book by Anne Tyler. If Morning Ever Comes was an ok read but not one that encouraged me to read anything more by the author. But at one point, having been gifted with Prose's Reading Like a Writer, I bought some of the books which she recommended. One of them was Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist which sits on the shelf waiting for me to pick it up for this challenge. I probably should also actually finish Reading Like a Writer. Hmm, I can see that joining these challenges might entail more reading than I thought.

I have Saint Maybe in my TBR stash so that will be my pick for January. The only other one of her books I've read is Digging to America, and I really liked it.

I'm an Anne Tyler newbie - but Breathing Lessons is lined up and ready to go!

I've only read The Accidental Marriage, but I'd like to give the AAC another try. (Hopefully both of my IRL book clubs will be ending soon, so that will free up book space!)

Anne Tyler is one of my favorite authors of all time! I started but did not finish A Spool of Blue Thread last year, so I think I'll put that on my to-read list!

In the past I have read:

Breathing Lessons
Ladder of Years
Digging to America
A Patchwork Planet

All of which I enjoyed. I think I have three other of her novels, so far unread, including the latest, in the pile.

I used to own lots of Anne Tyler books, but I got rid of most when I moved from Cincinnati. I read A Spool of Blue Thread last year, but it's the only one since LT I've read. I may have to look back at an old acquisition list to see which ones I used to own and have read. I know I got my start with The Accidental Tourist after seeing the movie by the same name. I was hoping I still had one in a TBR pile around the house, but I don't see it listed so I guess they are "all gone."

I cringe while typing this, but I don't like Anne Tyler. I keep trying, but mostly the books make me crazy. There is no denying her skill, but the books still leave me cold. The last one I read was Breathing Lessons. I wanted to whack the main characters in the head with the book. I've read Digging to America and Saint Maybe. No luck. I'm game to try again. Any suggestions?

I'm reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I ordered a couple of AT Kindle samples and stuck with the first one.

Edit: and finished it and liked it a lot.

>26 nittnut: - A kindred spirit! I also hated Digging for America and swore off Anne Tyler after that dreadful experience... so I am a bit surprised that I am willing to give Taylor one more try. My local library has a copy of The Clock Winder and the premise was enough to make me want to check it out and give it a go, even with the rather lower LT ratings for the book. Maybe I - and you - appeal to more experimental Anne Tyler books. ;-)

>26 nittnut:, >28 lkernagh: I'm a big Tyler fan although I did really, really dislike one book of hers - Noah's Compass. I've enjoyed everything else I've read, some much more than others. I thought Digging to America was just okay. I loved Saint Maybe. My favorite of her's is Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant which I reread just last year. I hesitate to recommend it, though, because I'd hate for someone to not like it! :)

On her Wiki page Anne Tyler says she thinks Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is her best book. I think it is my favorite book by her. I'm going to try Saint Maybe as part of this challenge. I've read most of her other books.

I have both Saint Maybe and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant waiting for me at the library for pick-up tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe I'll read both!

>26 nittnut: It's been decades but I recall liking The Accidental Tourist when I read it. If you can keep from imagining William Hurt as the protagonist....

I have three Tylers on my TBR shelves. I am currently reading The Accidental Tourist. Planning to read Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and Breathing Lessons too. The latter won the Pulitzer in 1989.

I finished The Accidental Tourist, but wasn't impressed. The story dragged on through most of the book and I probably would have just skipped to the last chapter if I wasn't reading it for this challenge.

>28 lkernagh: I believe I will read The Clock Winder with you. Comforting to know I'm not alone...

>29 Copperskye: I know - It's awful when you recommend your favorite book and then people don't like it. If I read it and don't like it, I won't tell (haha).

>31 EBT1002: It won't be a problem Ellen. For reasons unknown, but completely unrelated to Anne Tyler, I haven't seen the film. Lol

>33 LoisB: I loved the movie though.

I'm going to try to get to Digging to Americabecause I have that one on my shelf and that will help me get one more book off my groaning shelves. I am not sure I will get to it this month, but I will get to it eventually.

I get why Anne Tyler doesn't work for everyone. I need to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate her stuff myself. When I like her I really like her, but sometimes she leaves me cold too. Digging to America didn't impress me. Saint Maybe and The Accidental Tourist really did. >29 Copperskye: I'm nervous to see a self-proclaimed fan say you disliked Noah's Compass, because that's the one I decided to read for this challenge. I'll try to put that out of my mind!

I have less than 100 pages left in Breathing Lessons and I'm hot and cold (well, maybe more like lukewarm) on it. I like it, but some of it seems almost outlandish to me when I'm reading, but then I think about it, and the particular conversation or situation isn't so "out there" after all. It's an interesting, if slightly frustrating, reading experience.

Finished Breathing Lessons. My review is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/210631#5409389.

I haven't read any of Anne Tyler yet, though I really want to try her out. I'm going to check a few out of the library. I'm not sure which ones yet since everyone seems to have their own favorites. I'll go with whatever moves me at the time. This is the first one of these author challenges I've participated in- sounds fun.

My copy of Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant finally came in. I will not be able to get to it, until early next week. I am deep into a pair of Chunksters, at the moment.

>39 katiekrug: Good review, Katie! I read it many years ago and had similar feelings. I will still have to revisit it, one of these days.

>40 lahochstetler: Welcome a board!! Hope you find the right Tyler!

I read The Accidental Tourist and gave it 2.5 stars {yawn}.

>42 LoisB: Haha, LoisB, that's how I felt when I read The Accidental Tourist too. It took me months to finish that book and Macon was really irritating.

>43 Tara1Reads: I know - I felt the same way.

I'm with nittnut and lkernagh - I'm still not a fan of Anne Tyler. Just finished Searching for Caleb - gave this one a 3. My only other Tyler read was A Spool of Blue Thread, which was a barely 3.5 for me. With all the other authors available, I'm done with this one.

I finished The Accidental Tourist just a few days ago, and I think I'd give it a couple of thumbs up. Yes, Macon is irritating, but so are his brothers, his grandfather, his wife, his new girl friend. And his boss. And his dog. Tyler's presentation of these characters in action and interaction is splendid. The point, to me, is getting a passive character (Macon) to the moment where he asserts himself and makes a choice.

ETA: I started Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant yesterday and I'm about a quarter of the way into it. I believe it. Everyday people dealing with real life issues. Irritating personalities; of course.

ETA2: my review of The Accidental Tourist: https://www.librarything.com/topic/210740#5414819

I have always been a fan of Anne Tyler, and I read A Spool of Blue Thread recently and really liked it, but I haven't read any of her older work for a long time. Today I am starting Saint Maybe, and I will see if I still like her older work as well as I once did.

I find it so interesting that Tyler is so polarizing. I like her style and writing and I wonder what it is, about her, that turns so many readers off?

I should revisit, The Accidental Tourist, just to see if i feel any different about it, after 25 years.

>46 weird_O: Glad you liked The Accidental Tourist, Bill. I hope to start Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant in a few days.

>46 weird_O: "I believe it. Everyday people dealing with real life issues." That's what she does so very well. I think that's also why some find her boring. But for me, when she hits the pith, it's quite wonderful.

>46 weird_O: - Good comments, both here and in your review on your thread. Tyler's books just feel very real to me - life with all its warts and rainbows...

I've begun Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

I've never read any Anne Perry but you guys are scaring me.

I remember liking Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant when I read it many years ago. However, last year's Booker nominated Blue Spool of Thread left me completely underwhelmed. Having just finished Breathing Lessons, I'm surprised that it was a Pulitzer Prize winner.
I agree that she writes everyday characters with common life situations but I'm really glad none of these characters lives in my life. They all kind of drive me crazy!

I ended up choosing Digging to America at the library. We'll see what happens!

I just finished reading Saint Maybe and I am still a fan of Anne Tyler. I really enjoyed her fictional take on the Bedloe family where life was familiar, but Tyler still managed to make the story seem fresh and original, and I was never quite sure how most of the characters were going to behave. Well yes, I did know that Ian would probably shoulder his responsibilities, but who would have guessed the Second Chance Church would be the ones to help him.

>55 dallenbaugh: I also just finished Saint Maybe. Perhaps it's because, as you say, life was familiar, and it was obvious that Ian would step up, but I found it meh. Well written but I didn't really care about any of the characters enough to lose myself in the story.

>56 ffortsa: Yes, I imagine many readers will feel the same way as you, but I found it a relief to see familiar characters where their actions were unexpected but still not too bizarre. I was interested in seeing how the story and characters would turn out.

Maybe I have read too many mysteries where people are acting over the top, and yes a diet of either would be too much for me, but I like them both.

My comments regarding Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, to which I gave 3.5 stars.

This novel is like a collection of old photographs, sorting through the Tull family history. There is Pearl, left abruptly by her husband with three children to raise; Pearl who is the master of denial and the queen of bitterness, but, really, just wants to live a life in which some happiness occurred. Cody, her oldest son, carries the family's jealousy and sense of being an outsider; he embodies that human tendency to look at other houses, where the living room light escapes into the darkening evening, and assume the people within are deeply connected and unthinkingly happy. Jenny is the hard-shelled daughter, the pediatrician who never lets anyone get too close, including the reader. And there is Ezra, the youngest child who is goodness personified. He is patient and kind, motivated by simple desires and an unshakeable optimism. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is not plotless, but its narrative arc is propelled by the unremarkable substance of everyday family life. In this, Tyler finds and exposes beauty, meaning, and drama. She skirts tiresomeness (just) and leaves the reader pleased to have known her characters.

I'm reading one of her early books The Tin Can Tree. I'm wondering if anyone has come across reference to her style developing (eg no reference to Baltimore so far!). The blurb says she 'considers herself a Southerner' so I wondered if that meant her books should be thought of the same way? (Not southern gothic, but...?)

Wiki has done a pretty good job of showing her development as a writer. Just type in Anne Tyler Wiki.

Finished Noah's Compass, and I liked it quite a lot. I'll link to my review when I've done it.

I read Digging to America when it was published and really liked it. Then I read Ladder of Years, which I liked with some reservations. A few years ago I read The Accidental Tourist and didn't like it at all. It seemed very dated. I think I might have liked it when it came out. Did anyone else find The Accidental Tourist dated?

>60 dallenbaugh: Thanks for that. From Wikipedia I learn that she has disowned this novel. Ha! I quite liked it.

Missouri made an exasperated face. "You don't know," she told her. "You don't know how it would work out. Bravest thing about people, Miss Joan, is how they go on loving mortal beings after finding out there's such a thing as dying. Do I have to tell you that?"

Tyler's second book The Tin Can Tree is set in a small rural southern community. As the book opens, six year old Jamie Rose has been killed in an accident, and their cousin/lodger us trying to keep the family going as they struggle with their grief. Her older brother is not dealing well with being ignored, whilst in the town and the fields, things carry on: the paper is still printed, the tobacco picked and dried.
Carol gave her a paper off the top of the stack.
"Nothing but the most startling news," she said. "We took it all from the Rockland paper this week. Usually we get it from Clancyville."
"Well, that's all right," Joan said. "I haven't read the Rockland paper either."
"Good. You know what I think sometimes? " She heaved the papers onto a soda fountain stool and began rubbing the muscles of her arm. "Sometimes I think, what if every newspaper gets its news from the other papers? What if this is twenty-year-old news we're reading, just circulating around and around among newspapers?

>62 Nickelini: What do you mean by "dated"? Dialogue? People don't speak "that way" anymore? The lack of cell phones and internet, which alter the ease and speed of communication? Making and altering travel arrangements would be different. That you can say about virtually every book created before the turn of the 21st century. I just don't understand what you mean by "dated." Ha. Maybe I'm dated.

>64 weird_O: Definitely not the lack of technology. Pride and Prejudice doesn't have technology either, but to me it doesn't feel dated at all. Let's see, it's been a few years and I did my best to forget the book. I think it was the themes in the book and the concerns of the characters, and the author's approach. Possibly the language too, though without the book at hand I can't be sure. It was just the whole feel of the book. Perhaps it's similar to watching an old movie or TV show that you liked at one time, and see it now and can't stand it -- this isn't all about changing tastes. Other TV shows and movies made the same year might still be as fresh and enjoyable as the day they were made.

Sorry, it's been too long and it's about my only memory of the Accidental Tourist. I was wondering if anyone else noticed it.

I'm more than halfway through Digging to America and am just loving it. The whole theme of immigrants coming to America, and what it means to be "American" are so interesting to me, and so meaningful even this many years after the book was published. Family relationships figure largely here, and that is a plus for me.

Karen O.

>62 Nickelini: Yes, I found it dated. The brothers were unfathomable and totally unable to care for themselves, and didn't seem interested in learning how. I wanted to scream at them throughout the book.

"There ought to be a whole separate language, she thought, for words that are truer than other words- for perfect absolute truth."

"Their growing up amounted, therefore, to a gradual dimming of the light at her bedroom door, as if they took some radiance with them."

^(Thanks to Joanne for that 2nd quote).

- I started Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I like it...

I have finished The Clock Winder and, lo and behold, I liked it. :)

>69 nittnut: You found one you liked! Woot!

>69 nittnut: - Hooray!

>69 nittnut: - YAY! That will entice me to start reading the copy I have this weekend.... after I finish a different book for another challenge first. ;-)

"It looks like her face is not trying. Know what I mean? Like she can't be bothered putting out the effort."

-Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

I am into the second half now. I would sure visit a restaurant like this one.

I finished A Patchwork Planet today. An easy undemanding read with strong characterisation created through dialogue. enjoyable enough even though the characters are somewhat irritating.

>53 brenpike: Underwhelmed is a good word for my reaction to A Spool of Blue Thread. I didn't NOT like it but it seemed to unfold somewhat predictably with typical characters. Then I reread the comment in the first post here and realized that maybe that was the whole point. These are real people living out the details of real lives, unhappy and happy marriages, unsuccessful and successful children. For me, the most interesting part of was the clash of the perfect house with the imperfect lives.

I started Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant yesterday, and so far I am loving it. Only read one Anne Tyler before, but it was a winner for me - The Accidental Tourist.

I've started a couple of Anne Tyler books but couldn't get into them.

Then, I started Digging to America and did get into it. Then I realized, contrary to what I thought, I have previously read an Anne Tyler book and this was it.

There's so much to read that I hate to re-read anything so I put it down.

I just finished Digging to America myself! I love Tyler's depiction of characters, especially children and older people. Great writing of dialogue. I'm very happy with my January read for the AAC!

Karen O.

>78 lindapanzo: Bummer, Linda! I really liked Digging to America too.

>79 klobrien2: Yah, Karen!!

I will be starting Digging to America as soon as I am done with my BAC challenge book. I have a feeling that I will tagging along behind the rest of you just as I have been with the BAC. But I will get this book read. Just give me time!

"Even the postman signified catastrophe; his wife had been murdered in a burglary last spring, and now he lugged his leather pouch through the neighborhood as it were heavy beyond endurance...Every day the mail arrived later.”

- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

Lots of mailman references lately. I did finish the book. I am not sure it ranks among my favorites of Tyler but I did like it. I wish there had a bit more humor, to balance out the gloom. Not very likable characters. I think my favorite was Jenny, but she was still a bit elusive.

I think Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is working better for many of you than it is me. Perhaps I'm a bit distracted. I just feel the plot is going nowhere. I'm over halfway through it. I'll try to hang in there, but the Overdrive book will expire in a few days so if I don't finish it by then, I'll probably leave it unfinished.

I finished Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I couldn't find it listed under any of the TIOLI challenges so I added it to challenge 21 (tea). According to Google Books' search inside the book feature, the word "tea" appears on seven different pages. I had remembered reading the word, but I didn't note them as I was going through. If anyone took better notes, feel free to add one or more of the real page numbers. See https://books.google.com/books?id=nvOgKHkzDYYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=di...

I'm enjoying lurking on this thread. I blow hot and cold on Anne Tyler, although I would say that overall I like her work.

I read Breathing Lessons this month, and didn't find it boring in the least, but it did drive me up the wall. I'm not sure I'll be making much room for her in future. Here is my review: http://www.librarything.com/topic/210705#5420792

>86 Smiler69: Good review, Ilana. Sounds like my reaction so far to Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

I'm glad I kept going with Tyler after A Spool of Blue Thread. It was fine but I enjoyed The Accidental Tourist much more. It was similar in some ways with a quirky family but the outsiders helped make it more interesting perhaps. Still a strong sense of place with three different settings matched to the characters that lived there. I felt I connected with the characters in a closer way. Here's my longer review: https://www.librarything.com/topic/210932#5437561

>87 jnwelch: Thanks Joe! I'm glad I finally read it though, because it had been on the tbr for an age, and I did enjoy her writing quite a lot, just not the characters or the subject matter.

I have been absent from LT for a long time but am going to try and participate more in the challenges in 2016.
I love Anne Tyler, having read quite a few of her books and I have quite a few unread ones on my book shelves. I will read Breathing Lessons since I am also going to participate in the Pulitzer Winners Challenge. Breathing Lessons was one of my mother's favourite books.

I'm also reading Breathing Lessons, to also fit into the Pulitzer Winnerss Challenge. I checked it out of the library and started it this evening,

I finished The Clock Winder. Overall, I am glad to have had the opportunity to give Tyler another chance, even if a number of Anne Tyler fans feels that this is one of her poorer works. For me, it is a rough diamond that with some polish, could be quite a gem. My longer review can be found here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/217642#5443872

>89 Smiler69: Unfortunately, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant ended up being just so-so for me. Well-written, but I just didn't care enough about the characters, and it was a very low key plot.

>84 thornton37814:, >93 jnwelch: I also did Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant this month and I think it showcased everything that is good about Tyler but also her weaknesses as an author. There are some pristine moments and it can be quite homespun but it meanders I know not where.

Looks like there are different opinions about Anne Tyler's writing. The Accidental Tourist is the second book by Anne Tyler that I have read. I had heard good things about her so with the first book I thought maybe it was not one of her best works. After reading this, my second book by her, I realize that her books are character driven and I just can’t relate to the characters. They are interesting and quirky enough but the main characters, while interestingly conflicted, lack drive and the power to really engage me in the story.

>95 Familyhistorian: I totally agree. Although I did like The Clock Winder. In such a large body of work, it's likely there will be one book to like, if one perseveres. Lol

>95 Familyhistorian: Well said. I agree.

I've just started The Accidental Tourist and hope to get it done this weekend, while it's still January. I've only just started, but so far I am aused by the quirkiness. Putting a blank cassette in a player to have peace and quiet during a plane trip - dated but brilliant!

It's the first Anne Tyler for me.

I gave up on Breathing Lessons. Maybe another time. Maggie was driving me crazy almost from the start. Then two books I wanted to read came available at the library, with limited time to read them.

I think I may alternate between author challenges. I did a British Author Challenge book this month -- maybe I'll do one for this challenge for February. Richard Russo, isn't it? The library has Empire Falls and That Old Cape Magic.

I finished Noah's compass by Anne Tyler but was not so impressed by it.

I think I am in the minority for reading and loving Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant My review can be found here: Mamie's review

I read A Slipping-Down Life, and it was only okay. She can certainly write, though. I just don't think she's for me.

>102 LauraBrook: That was my reaction, too, Laura, after reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

I finished Anne Tyler's Pulitzer winning novel, Breathing Lessons on 1/26/16, but only got my book report posted today. It's found here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/210740#5456913

I liked the book. Yes, yes, Maggie is a trial, but so is life, maybe especially the lives of ordinary people. The prize, by the way, was for 1989.

I also read The Accidental Tourist and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I'm in the distinct minority who admired all of these Tyler works.

>104 weird_O: You are not alone, so did I.

Hey, there is some Tyler love! I am happy to see it.

I read Saint Maybe and really liked it, although not quite as much as Digging to America, which I read several years ago. I rated both of them at 4 stars. I like Anne Tyler's style, but as with most authors I read, I wouldn't want to read several in succession. It's possible to get too much of a good thing!

>104 weird_O: - I'm with you, Bill. She just works for me, but as Carries says, I couldn't read several in quick succession, as you have done!

What Katie said.

>104 weird_O: It's an OK minority to be in! I'll join you there. Although I don't think I've read Breathing Lessons. I seem to recall a movie with Joanne Woodward and James Garner, though.

I've just received notification from the ER establishment that I'm going to get a copy of Tyler's new one, Vinegar Girl, which is one of the Hogarth Shakespeare series (The Taming of the Shrew). That will be two of those in a row for me, as I have Howard Jacobson's Shylock is My Name here now, and hope to get to it in a week or so.

>110 laytonwoman3rd: I was almost finished with the book when I discovered it had been adapted. The film was telecast. I thought Garner was a spot-on choice to play Ira; just thinking of Garner as Ira opened up some new insights into the character for me. Haven't seen the film, of course.

Just to underline my positive opinion of Tyler, I bought three more of her books at the Bethlehem Library book sale--buck apiece. Noah's Compass, Ladder of Years, and Digging to America. Don't know when I'll get them read...heh heh heh.

Back in January I tried to read Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler and just did not have time to finish. Then I planned it for Feb and did not have time to finish. Finally, I finished it in March. I say "finally", not because it was a chore, but because I finally had the time to put to it. I really liked it. It is not my favourite of three Anne Tyler books that I have read but it was still a very good book.

My comments are here