Anyone read The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler?

[Clawdy]

What do you think is happening in the last three pages?

I have read it - I've read most of her books - but you'll have to remind me what happens at the end

Michael has remarried years ago,and Pauline has been dead for some time. The last chapter is Michael,now an old man wandering through his old neighbourhood,remembering Pauline with love,and as he approaches the corner where she lived,he suddenly feels she is still alive, imagines her in the front garden,filling the birdfeeder,looking up as he approaches and her face filling with joy. The last line is "He began to walk faster,hurrying round the bend." I thought Michael was dying,and wondered if anyone else agreed?

Maybe, but I thought it was just more to do with trying to escape his memories and feelings of guilt, perhaps?

I thought it meant he was hurrying because he so wanted to see her again...it was an unexpected ending and had me in tears!

Yes, I thought he was dying and imagining seeing her again in the afterlife. His love for her resurfaced, hence he rushes towards her.

Really moving ending.

Typical Anne Tyler. The emotion just creeps up on you.

OP - have you read Patchwork Planet? You will be in bits.

Yes,loved it. I've read most of her books. I saw her interviewed at the Oxford LitFest at Eastertime and felt quite star-struck. She was so lovely and very striking and elegant. She said her favourite character was Ezra from "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant".

I love her too.
She is a perfect author. Very unshowy (cf. Will Self, Martin Amis et al) and yet het books are so affecting.