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Original poster

Anne Tyler or Maggie O'Farrell?

38 replies

gerbo · 26/05/2020 08:21

I'm struggling to start a book at the moment without abandoning ship as my concentration seems poor!

I think I need a good 'story' - everything I'm trying is too heavy or 'different'. I just need to sink into an easy-ish read with a fast plot.

My book group love these authors and talk about them lots but I've only read 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' by O'Farrell, which I think I enjoyed, years ago.

Would anyone be able to recommend a book by one of these authors? Or someone similar / who writes similarly? Want to start with their best offerings as both authors seem to have written a lot.

Thanks!

OP posts:
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YogiMatte · 29/07/2020 19:48

Agree Unless is amazing

Shenadoah · 29/07/2020 17:10

Another vote for Carol Shields: 'Unless' would be in my top 5 books of all time.

SatsukiKusakabe · 22/07/2020 20:52

Anne Tyler is wonderful - The Accidental Tourist is great.

Butteredtoast55 · 18/07/2020 22:11

Love all Anne Tyler’s books but A Spool of Blue Thread and Saint Maybe were my favourites. Recently really enjoyed Ann Patchett’s Run and Commonwealth but all hers are good, as are Barbara Kingsolver’s.
Have you read Tracey Chevalier’s The Last Runaway? I loved it and it’s very atmospheric.

pandarific · 31/05/2020 15:34

I really rate Liane Moriarty - Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot are both excellent.

HeddaGarbled · 30/05/2020 19:18

I’ve just finished Redhead by the Side of the Road and thought it was great: gently funny and poignant and beautifully written. I am an Anne Tyler fan, so can endorse all the recommendations above and add a personal favourite: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

Pyjamasarethenewblack · 27/05/2020 21:52

Jenny Eclair 'Moving' and also 'Life, Death and Vanilla Slices' are in a similar style to previously mentioned books. Lots of tiny details.

gailforce1 · 27/05/2020 20:38

Another vote for Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler but I have not read all of hers and would love a "binge" session reading them back to back in order of publication .
Is anyone a fan of Penny Fitzgerald?

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 27/05/2020 18:16

Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler is one of my favourite books. None of her others come close to it in my opinion.

Destroyedpeople · 27/05/2020 17:58

Oh I found that book too unbelievable tbh too many loose ends. Like the couple at the store that conveniently supplied kya with groceries. Er no any couple in that situation would have called child services.

morelikeaclubsandwich · 27/05/2020 17:36

Where the crawdads sing
Excellent book

Mooserp · 27/05/2020 17:33

I recently read Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano and the writing reminded me of Anne Tyler

Destroyedpeople · 27/05/2020 11:41

Carol Shield is brilliant.
Ann Tyler consistently readable.
I found 'instructions for a heatwave' a bit annoying about the irish diaspora. Little details. Like the main character complaining that she couldn't get buttermilk in England to make her soda bread. Well that's odd because my family just used sour milk in both countries. A minor detail perhaps but irritating.

InAGarden · 26/05/2020 22:08

Ladder of years By Anne Tyler is excellent. Pat Barker is a great writer too.

LunaNorth · 26/05/2020 22:05

Hamnet was brilliant.
Try Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. Wonderful books.
Also Ladder of Years and The Amateur Marriage by Ann Tyler.

Original poster
gerbo · 26/05/2020 22:02

Thank so much everyone. I've read quite a lot of these- lots of Kate Atkinson and Eleanor Oliphant- but I'll browse some tomorrow and make a list. Thank you!!

OP posts:
tassedecafe · 26/05/2020 19:20

Also Rose Tremain - The Road Home. Evokes a similar feelings in me to After You'd Gone - whilst completely different.

HoofWankingSpangleCunt · 26/05/2020 16:25

Snap Roxanne Grin

RoxanneMonke · 26/05/2020 16:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HoofWankingSpangleCunt · 26/05/2020 16:02

Ooops. Pressed enter too soon.
Ottessa Moshfegh, that should read.
Pat Barker, Ann Patchett, Anne Shreve, all good storytellers imo.
Btw, Poisonwood Bible is by Barbara Kingsolver.

Reading is my favourite thing ever. I'm such a nerd Smile

HoofWankingSpangleCunt · 26/05/2020 15:53

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Mosh

HoofWankingSpangleCunt · 26/05/2020 15:49

I'm reading Anne Tyler's Clock Dance right now. I love the feeling that I'm about to enjoy a good, well written story. I've never been disappointed by Anne Tyler. Likewise with Maggie O'Farrell. I loved all her books.

A few others which you may like, The Poisonwood Bible . Similarly, another older one, Behind The Scenes At The Museum by Kate Atkinson.
I also rate Elisabeth Strout. I'll be back in a minute...just need to check my Kindle library.

RobuxBriberyIsMyLifeNow · 26/05/2020 15:46

I am, I am, I am by Maggie O'Farrell I LOVED
Stories/anecdotes rather than a novel but I devoured it in one sitting

Epigram · 26/05/2020 15:44

I like both these authors. My favourite Maggie O'Farrells are I Am, I Am, I Am (this one is non fiction) and After You'd Gone.

Anne Tyler is good if you like great characterisation and aren't bothered by not much of a plot. My favourite is Back When We We're Grown Ups.

I think Penelope Lively is a similar kind of writer. Moon Tiger and The Photograph are my favourites.

tassedecafe · 26/05/2020 15:42

Sorry - that should be "Eleanor Oliphant is absolutely fine" -typing whilst eating a pomegranate is one skill I have yet to master.

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