Anne Tyler

[Bruisername]

I’ve heard of her but recently came across her again when I saw she had recommended a book by my favourite author. It made me wonder if I might like her work!

what do those who have read her think of her books and which would you start with?

I have only read the Accidental Tourist and it was for a while one of my favourites. A little depressing but a beautiful study of grief.

She is amazing. The Accidental Tourist is also one of my favourites, but I don’t think you can really go wrong. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is also very good.

Are they quite ‘realist’? I might try The Accidental Tourist then. Or is there a slightly cheerier one!

I’ve just read “A spool of blue thread” which is the only one of hers I’ve read and I loved it.

I will try the Accidental Tourist!

I’ve read most of hers. I love her. Ladder of years is great.

Some of the earlier books are quite strange. I LOVED Back When we Were Grownups though.

I absolutely love Anne Tyler's books, I've read all of them. They aren't full of plot or action, so don't expect that. But she is brilliant at describing the human condition, getting into characters' heads and their everyday lives, her descriptions, use of language and insights are excellent. Often there is a tinge of dark, wry humour. They are usually based in and around Baltimore but that's a non-issue. I'd highly recommend any of her books, I'm looking forward to reading her latest.

I love Anne Tyler. Must make a list of what I have and haven't read of hers. She seems to write men well, but I'd be interested to know if a man agrees!

Interesting- the book she recommended is very much about the human condition but in quite a complex, macabre and riveting way. I wondered if she loved the book too because she has a similar style. Sounds like she might but perhaps no macabre!

Another fan. The Accidental Tourist is of course very good, and I re-read Ladder of Years quite often! Her more recent ones all sort of run together in my mind a bit but that’s mostly because I enjoyed them all and even though the storylines are often quite different, the underlying themes and patterns of dialogue are similar. She “gets” people and their interior lives so well.

Breathing Lessons and Ladder Of Years are my favourites. Tyler is superb.

Just had a look on Amazon and the books are not designed on a way that would attract me at all! I think I will try Ladder of Years

she has so many books - my favourite author only has about 12 and most are out of print unfortunately - so Im hoping her love of him will translate into me loving her books and I will be kept very well read for a long time!!

glad I asked - thank you!

I love her books. They seem very understated and I found them interesting to read… similar in style to Elizabeth Strout. don’t think I have read the Accidental Tourist so that’s one for my list. A spool of blue thread is very good.

Out of interest OP - who was the author that recommended her?

She recommended Russell H Greenan. He’s pretty much forgotten here but I can’t quite understand why!! Very popular in France

I like her later books, got on less well with the earlier ones I’ve read but many I’ve still not got to and definitely will read. Spool of Blue Thread is excellent.

My favourite is Patchwork Planet.

She was a very interesting guest on Desert Island Discs.

Oh, Breathing Lessons and Celestial Navigation too.
I read Redhead by the Side of the Road recently and thought it was as good as any of the older ones.
She makes me think of Ann Patchett to some extent but I think her great gift is to build up the conflict in the plot from things happening in every family everywhere.
Not macabre, though.

Good few years ago, picked up Clock Dance in the airport just randomly as I was rushing- turned out to be one of the best books I read that year! Also helped me expand my reading too ☺️

What was the book she recommended op?

Oh sorry missed this

I think my favourites are: Back When We Were Grown Ups, Ladder of Years, Digging to America and Clock Dance. I can’t think of any bad ones.

Is it Anne Tyler who wrote The Braid? If so, I loved it, great writing. Would love to read more.

I also like Elizabeth Strout’s books and Elizabeth Crane, who deserves to be better known.

It Happened in Boston?

I didn’t like the Elizabeth Strout book I read. Will have a look at Elizabeth Crane