Anne Tyler

[IntellectualLlama]

I read a lot of fiction and seem to choose a lot of books by American female authors, but I've never read anything by Anne Tyler. Worth a look? And which of her books should I read first?

[yesbutnobut]

I do envy you if you haven't read any of her books yet - she is a wonderful writer. I think her earlier books are better - any of Accidental Tourist, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant or Searching for Caleb would be a good place to start. Good luck you're in for a treat.

[Medoc]

To counteract that ringing endorsement, I'm afraid I found the books I read a little boring (The Amateur Marriage and Digging to America).
I wasn't tempted to read any others. They seemed a little earnest, but I didn't feel I cared about any of the characters.

[Lurleene]

I absolutely love her books, she is my favourite author by far. I was thrilled today to find out that she has a new book coming out next month. It is called A Spool of Blue Thread.

[AmyTanFan]

I adore Anne Tyler - so much that I went to the Oxford Literary Festival a couple of years ago to see her receive and award - but she is not everyone's cup of tea. Her novels are all set in Baltimore, I would start with The Accidental Tourist or A Patchwork Planet. Many people love Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, but I find it a little sombre. Do let us know how you get on if you do decide to read her.

[hackmum]

I really like her. The Accidental Tourist is one of my favourites.

[Sleepingtom]

I love love loved the accidental tourist. My book group hated it.

I have read a few other books (mentioned above) and liked them but tbh not loved them as much. Ladder of Years looks good.

[Bue]

My favourite author. My favourites are Back When We Were Grownups (older) and Digging to America (recent).

[NecklessMumster]

One of my very favourites too, excited to hear she has a new book out

[woodhill]

I love her books, they are a great read.

[jammietart]

One of my fave novelists. This new book is her last isn't it? I agree accidental tourist a good place to start. breathing lessons prob my favourite. Enjoy!

[Lurleene]

Sorry, forgot to suggest which book to start with.

I would go for Ladder of Years first, it's probably one of my favourite ever books. Such a simple story but it really sticks with you.

The first Anne Tyler I read was A Slipping Down Life. I was only about 16 or 17 and it was a freebie with a magazine. The main character was a girl of a similar age and I was hooked. I'm so glad I bought that mag as I may never have picked up one of her books otherwise!

[carlajean]

I went through a stage of loving her work, but don't read her much now. I think the standard of her books vary, from excellent must-reads (Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and St Maybe) to meh (most of the rest). She's never bad, just variable.

[Clawdy]

AmyTanFan I saw her at the Oxford Litfest too,she was lovely. I agree the earlier books are the best,love St Maybe and Breathing Lessons.

[BigSpottyCupofTea]

Absolutely love Anne Tyler - each one is brilliant, although my favourite is Ladder of Years. I've bought a copy of it for various friends/my mum. I didn't realise the Blue Thread book was going to be her last, I'm genuinely sad about that. Think I'll start again and read through them all. Good luck OP, hope you enjoy them.

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

Another big fan. Ladder of Years and The Accidental Tourist are my favorites.

[tumbletumble]

I'm a fan too. My favourite is Back When We Were Grown Ups. You'll like her if you're the kind of person who likes a book in which not much happens - good characterisation rather than a gripping plot.

[YonicSleighdriver]

Breathing Lessons

But they are all good.

[fizzycolagurlie]

I have read everything by Anne Tyler and completely love her books. But I would agree with Madoc that the two she / he read, are especially boring. Some of the earlier books are a bit less gripping - she definitely has developed her writing skills over the years.

I fully agree Ladder of Years is amazing (actually I think it was the first one I read...) and Back when we were grown ups, Dinner at the Homesick restaurant is also good. I didn't like Saint Maybe but its a really early one (as is A Slipping Down Life). Its surprising how many were made into movies other than Accidental Tourist - I think there are maybe 2 or 3 more.

[gailforce1]

Interesting interview with Anne Tyler in today's Mail (sorry I don't have the IT skills to link). I am looking forward to her new book but sad that it will be her last.

[Viviennemary]

I've only read one Anne Tyler and it was about a woman who just left her family one day when they were all on a beach. Can't remember what it was called. I didn't like it very much. I couldn't sympathise as I thought she was really selfish! Maybe I should have taken a broader view..

[AliceLidl]

I love most of her books.

I think I read Saint Maybe first, and loved it, then Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and then The Clock Winder. And Morgan's Passing was good.

Loved all of those, have read most of her others now. Except The Amateur Marriage, which I just can't get into.

[loveableshoulder]

Ladder of years or the clock winder.

[frogletsmum]

I had a phase of reading her quite a few years back, and the one that really sticks in my mind is St Maybe which I'd love to reread one day. More recently I read Digging to America and was slightly disappointed but couldn't really put my finger on why. I guess I just remembered loving her books so much earlier on.

I still think she's a fantastic writer of flawed but real characters, not flashy at all but they and the novels do stay with you.