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Original poster

Anne Tyler

23 replies

IntellectualLlama · 05/01/2015 20:24

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?

OP posts:

yesbutnobut · 05/01/2015 21:16

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 · 05/01/2015 22:07

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 · 05/01/2015 22:10

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 · 06/01/2015 00:14

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 · 06/01/2015 08:57

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

Sleepingtom · 06/01/2015 19:03

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 · 06/01/2015 20:46

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

NecklessMumster · 06/01/2015 20:50

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

woodhill · 06/01/2015 20:51

I love her books, they are a great read.

jammietart · 06/01/2015 20:54

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 · 06/01/2015 22:13

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 · 08/01/2015 17:34

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 · 08/01/2015 23:08

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 · 09/01/2015 08:31

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 · 10/01/2015 14:42

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

tumbletumble · 10/01/2015 14:50

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 · 13/01/2015 22:26

Breathing Lessons

But they are all good.

fizzycolagurlie · 21/01/2015 03:47

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 · 01/02/2015 09:09

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 · 01/02/2015 09:58

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 · 02/02/2015 00:04

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 · 02/02/2015 00:13

Ladder of years or the clock winder.

frogletsmum · 02/02/2015 14:19

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.

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