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Anne Tyler

37 replies

Pruners · 04/06/2008 22:37

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Elasticwoman · 07/06/2008 22:57

I like Anne Tyler and have read Ladder of Years. Interesting to hear how it resonated with you Pruners, after the experience of having your mother leave home.

When I was a little girl my mother got fed up with my 3 teenage brothers who were hard work, and not enough support from my father who was v laid back. I remember her saying once that she would leave home and take me with her to my grandmother's. She never did, but I fantasised about it for years.

probablyaslytherin · 07/06/2008 21:26

Elkiedee - that's helpful - will note those down, thanks. Have never even heard of Mavis Gallant and Ellen Gilchrist.

Another vote here for: Carol Shields; Margaret Forster (though some of her more recent ones haven't grabbed me as much); Anita Shreve (does longing really well, though can feel a bit samey because it is a recurring theme). Mary Lawson I love(have only read two, look forward to more) and while I liked Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible, I couldn't get on with Prodigal Summer.

Digging to America and the Homesick Restaurant are possibly my favourite Ann Tyler, now folk mention them. I have a hard time sometimes remembering a book title if it doesn't immediately relate to the story!

Old age doesn't come alone

PInkyminkyohnooo · 06/06/2008 00:04

I love Ann Tyler, too.

re:Margaret Forster- really enjoyed Hidden Lives

have you read Anita Brookner -Visitors?

Swedes · 06/06/2008 00:02

Has anyone read Raymond Carver's short stories? They are very bleak but brilliant. He is very good on human observation too.

Swedes · 05/06/2008 23:56

Another Anne Tyler fan reporting for duty. Reading this thread is making me want to go back and re-read.

elkiedee · 05/06/2008 23:04

I see someone's already suggested Alice Munro - I'd also suggest Mavis Gallant if you want a book that's well written, literary yet accessible. Both of them mostly write short stories.

Another southern US writer who writes a lot about family relationships is Ellen Gilchrist.

suedonim · 05/06/2008 22:40

Another Anne Tyler fan here. I've read all her books and last year I got uncommonly excited when ds2 went to Baltimore. He, of course, was completely bemused as to why I wanted to know exactly what it was like.

Piffle · 05/06/2008 21:24

I love Anne Tyler as well

pointydog · 05/06/2008 21:23

yes, like aNNE Tyler a lot. An easy intelligent read. Good for summer holidays.

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Pruners · 05/06/2008 21:14

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WendyWeber · 05/06/2008 21:13

Kingsley Amis did that, Pruners, with an editor person - L S Caton, who wrote in green ink? I'm sure he was based on a real person too.

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Pruners · 05/06/2008 21:07

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WendyWeber · 05/06/2008 21:01

I lurve Anne Tyler, but have only recently read any M Forster - have read a couple and found them really dull and turgid, I thought about starting a thread on it ("is it me?")

Lilymaid · 05/06/2008 20:59

I love Anne Tyler too - I think I've now read all her books so have to wait for a new one to come out. I have only read one Joyce Carol Oates book - The Falls - and hated it. Apart from Margaret Forster who is great, I would also recommend Jane Gardam.

oregonianabroad · 05/06/2008 20:45

Love Anne Tyler. Started reading her when I was a teenager. she has such a knack for creating interesting characters.

I like Joyce Carol Oates as well as most of the others mentioned here already.

anorak · 05/06/2008 19:07

How about Barbara Kingsolver? Not entirely similar but also American and handles tough issues gently like Tyler.

GustWriter · 05/06/2008 17:31

OH yes I love Anne Tyler. I've read everything she's written. It helps to read some of the more recent best selling ones first I thought and then go into her back catalogue. Some of her early novels are a bit slight and wouldn't inspire me to carry on with her if that was where I had started.

littlerach · 05/06/2008 13:37

Margaret Forster is fantastic.

Like Anne Tyler too..
What about Anne Pratchett?
Just read Magician's Assistant and was brill.

MuffinMclay · 05/06/2008 13:35

Margaret Forster? Not quite the same, but not wholly different...

brimfull · 05/06/2008 13:34

I love Anne Tyler

Also similar vein; Margaret Forster , Mary Lawson and Alice Munro.

jingleyjen · 05/06/2008 13:30

have only read the accidental tourist but really enjoyed it

jellyforbrains · 05/06/2008 13:27

I have read a few of hers - I do like her writing style. Can't remember all of the titles but yes, Digging for america was good. Am getting frustrated now actually, can remember vague plots of some I have read, but not the titles!

love2sleep · 05/06/2008 13:25

RS - sorry missed your post. Agree with Anita Shreeve, although I liked some more than others. I was less keen on the historical ones.

love2sleep · 05/06/2008 13:23

MM - totally agree with Carol Shields and Margaret Atwood. I love them too. Any more?

Anorak - I didn't get one so well with these.

RubySlippers · 05/06/2008 13:09

pruners - i am currently reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (we are in the same bookswap group)

it is fantastic

I also think she is similar to Anita Shreeve (same examination of relationships, and eye for detail plus great dialogue)

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