Anne Tyler

[Pruners]

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

I love Anne Tyler as well

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.

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.

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

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

I love Ann Tyler, too.

re:Margaret Forster- really enjoyed Hidden Lives

have you read Anita Brookner -Visitors?

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

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.